Major Fields of Philosophy Essay Example

of these concepts, the government's role in preserving them, protecting rights and freedoms, determining the ideal type of government to implement, and defining law. Furthermore, it encompasses citizens' obligations towards a legitimate government. While it is commonly referred to colloquially as a general perspective or specific belief about politics that may not fall under philosophy's technical discipline - political philosophy ultimately analyzes the conceptual framework behind these ideas in terms of their history, purpose, development and other relevant aspects.

Aesthetics focuses on subjects such as beauty, art appreciation/enjoyment/creation/experience/sensory-emotional values/perception and subjective taste/sentiment.

The investigation of philosophical method involves analyzing the practice of philosophy and the various approaches used to tackle philosophical inquiries. The systematic process of philosophy includes methods and approaches that strive to establish a rational framework for addressing all aspects and dilemmas concerning human existence.

The tradition of western philosophy, spanning from Plato to modern theoretical metaphysics, includes systematic philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Spinoza, Hegel, and Ayn Rand. These philosophers exemplify the development of a philosophical method that seeks to identify the fundamental constituents of reality known as metaphysics. Kierkegaard introduced an alternative approach in modern philosophy in response to systematic philosophy. This approach has been carried forward through analytic philosophy, existentialism, hermeneutics, and deconstructionism. Methodic doubt is commonly discussed by philosophers as a part of their philosophical methodology—a systematic process of skeptical inquiry into one's beliefs.

Argumentation involves providing one or multiple arguments in support of a solution. Dialectics entails presenting the solution and its supporting arguments for criticism by other philosophers, allowing them to evaluate their own beliefs. According to Plato and Aristotle, the

curiosity, awe, and wonder triggered by philosophical inquiry prompt individuals to engage in the journey of philosophy. This process may begin with questioning accepted beliefs and harboring doubts, especially with regards to our understanding and justification of fundamental beliefs about the world. Moreover, formulating clear questions and problems is a crucial aspect of philosophical methodology, as it helps to identify and address critical issues more effectively.

The preference of certain philosophers is to dedicate ample time to comprehending the problem fully rather than hastily reaching a conclusion. They may opt to offer a theory, furnish a definition, or perform an analysis with the aim of resolving a philosophical dilemma. On occasion, a theory can be succinctly expressed, while additional philosophical text serves as reinforcement, elucidation, and justification. It is important to acknowledge that not all suggested resolutions to philosophical problems entail definitions or generalizations.

In certain cases, a particular kind of explanation is necessary – not one that offers causality, but rather one that demonstrates how two contradictory perspectives can coexist logically. This type of explanation is commonly referred to as a philosophical explanation. It rationalizes the solution by elucidating that an argument consists of statements, with the conclusion deriving from the premises. Arguments can be viewed as groups of interconnected reasons, supporting a claim.

The reasons and premises supporting a claim form an argument, which is an important part of philosophical method. In the Western philosophical tradition, philosophers are known for their multiple arguments. They are skilled in providing and demanding arguments for the claims they make. Thus, philosophy can be seen as a pursuit of arguments.

The original doubts

that led us to take up philosophy can ultimately be resolved by a good argument. A good argument consists of clear, organized, and sound reasons. If someone is willing to be satisfied without any good supporting reasons, then a Western philosophical approach may not be suitable for them. In philosophy, experts have different opinions on the most fundamental aspects of the universe. Therefore, philosophical criticism is a common element in the work of nearly all philosophers. The presence of philosophical criticism makes much philosophizing a social endeavor.

Philosophers engage in defining and explaining solutions to problems, along with providing arguments in favor of those solutions. Other philosophers then counter these arguments, with the expectation of eventually finding improved solutions. This exchange and subsequent revision of perspectives is referred to as dialectic. Essentially, dialectic is a philosophical conversation among individuals who do not always share the same beliefs. While individuals can engage in critical analysis on their own, the input of others who share important assumptions can be immensely valuable.

Some people have the skill to think critically from different perspectives, while both philosophers and non-philosophers engage in problem-solving by promptly presenting arguments for and against various positions. Nevertheless, philosophy is centered around challenging assumptions and striving for deeper understanding. The act of engaging in philosophy holds equal importance to arriving at a conclusion. This sets it apart from other disciplines where experts often find consensus on basic principles. Motivation

The method in philosophy is founded on motivation as understanding why people engage in philosophy is essential for comprehending its nature. Frequently, individuals adopt beliefs without truly comprehending them, whether it relates to

God, oneself, the natural world, human society, morality, or human creations. Often, people struggle to comprehend their own beliefs and the rationale behind them. Some individuals ponder the significance of their beliefs and question the justification or rationality behind them.

A lack of understanding is evident when these elements are missing, and some individuals do not appreciate lacking this comprehension. Philosophy and science are often connected because they both seek answers regarding life and the universe, employing logical reasoning as a means to reach those answers. While science relies on factual evidence, philosophy frequently draws from people's beliefs and thought processes. According to my comprehension, philosophers strive to address inquiries exclusively utilizing deduction and reasoning rooted in fundamental principles.

The truth of first principles is not established aside from being self-evident to the adopting philosopher and lacking any logical contradictions. In contrast, scientists aim to verify their first principles through experimentation and empirical evidence. In the realm of ART Aesthetics, assessing an artwork entails determining the artist's success not only in their craftsmanship but also in exploring the metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and politics encompassed within it.

Every artist believes that art is a representation of reality, with certain parts deliberately manipulated to portray specific details that initially existed as abstract concepts in the artist's mind. Aesthetics ponders whether the artist effectively conveyed their thoughts and what these thoughts were. Is it a portrayal of love or Marxism? At times, it can be challenging to decipher the artist's intended expression. Aesthetics evaluates the artwork, encompassing both moral and craftsmanship aspects. If it is about love, how is it portrayed? It is not the

specialized sciences that teach individuals to think, but philosophy that establishes the foundational criteria for all specialized sciences. Science was born as a result and consequence of philosophy; without a philosophical basis, science cannot survive, particularly in terms of epistemology. If philosophy perishes, science will follow suit. Aristotle developed the sciences of observational biology and taxonomy while on the Isle of Lesbos. He also originated psychology and metaphysics.

The role of philosophy is crucial in understanding different fields such as metaphysics, which has been referred to as the "First Science" and "Queen of Science," among others. It is also essential in all sciences, including mathematics. The topic of the existence of God is a common subject for debate among philosophers. Aristotle's quote in the Pre-Socratics section suggests that philosophy emerges from wonder. While its origins can be traced back to doubts about God's presence, philosophy has experienced significant development over time. Numerous philosophers have made attempts to prove or disprove the existence of God based on their own ideas.

Several philosophers, including Anselm, Guanilo, Maimonides, Aquinas, and Descartes, use logic and rationalism to attempt to prove the existence of God. Each of these thinkers presents different arguments in support of a higher power. Although they may not personally be religious, they recognize that a supreme being is necessary because they cannot offer an alternative explanation for the origin of the earth. Belief in God is inherently connected to religion and will always remain so. The existence of God depends on faith and cannot be definitively proven, leading many philosophers to have uncertainties.

The quest for immortality motivates individuals to search for evidence

of God's existence due to the fear of death. The Bible assures believers that eternal life is granted to those who follow God. Furthermore, people seek something eternal in order to ensure their own survival, finding solace in God as an everlasting being. When faith wavers, many turn to philosophy in an effort to substantiate God's existence. Ultimately, faith lies at the heart of God's presence and cannot be validated or invalidated through scientific means. Essentially, faith encompasses a conviction that does not rely on logical proof or tangible evidence.

The existence of God cannot be proven or disproven with logical evidence. Believing in God requires faith, trust, understanding, and love. The debate on this subject has remained unresolved throughout history. Two biblical stories that demonstrate faith in God are Jesus' crucifixion, death, and resurrection (an unexplainable supernatural event) and the extraordinary nature it reveals by showing that an ordinary person cannot resurrect themselves.

Jesus is an extraordinary being, being both God and human. In the Bible, there is a story that showcases his exceptional abilities. He miraculously feeds a hungry crowd with just a small amount of fish and bread, highlighting his extraordinary nature. This also exemplifies the extraordinary nature of God. Faith is similarly remarkable, defined as belief in things beyond our sensory perception. Unlike philosophy, which relies on sensory perception, faith surpasses these limitations. Thus, philosophy cannot offer evidence for the existence of such an extraordinary being.

Anselum claimed that it is irrational to deny the existence of God. He provided multiple reasons to back up his statement. He stated that even those who do not believe in God

still have a notion of Him, as not believing in God itself constitutes an idea. Additionally, he observed that believers can provide justifications for their faith and describe the characteristics of God, which are also considered ideas. Anselum also highlighted that asserting there is no God could be seen as a deceitful strategy employed to generate doubt about His existence.

According to Anselum, the existence of God is supported by the fact that He is perceived as the greatest being with absolute knowledge and power. If God were not to exist, He would not possess these qualities. However, since everyone has a concept of God, it goes against the idea that God does not exist. Therefore, Anselum concludes that God must exist as the Supreme Being.

Anselum attempted to prove the existence of God through various arguments, but I find this argument unpersuasive personally. Those who don't believe in God may argue that they can imagine a world without a higher being and therefore assert that such a being is nonexistent. Nonbelievers may also propose alternative explanations for the origin of the earth that do not involve a Supreme Being. Moreover, belief in God lacks logical justification and is regarded as irrational. Conversely, the theory of evolution provides a more rational and logically coherent explanation.

Anselum argues that God's existence can be proven through logic and rationality, but this approach is unsuccessful because God surpasses logic and rationality. Instead, God is a matter of faith—a concept that cannot be perceived through the senses typically explored by philosophy. Although Gaunilo believes in God, he disagrees with Anselum's argument. Gaunilo suggests that simply imagining

God does not necessarily prove His existence, as one can also imagine a world without a supreme being. Gaunilo emphasizes that belief in God requires faith and cannot be confirmed or refuted through Anselum's logical approach.

Guanilo and Maimonides, two philosophers we have studied, held contrasting views on proving the existence of God. While Guanilo acknowledged the significance of faith in believing in God and utilized it as a means of proof, Maimonides approached the topic differently. In his work "Guide for the Perplexed," Maimonides emphasized the need to establish God's existence through negation or by defining what He is not. To illustrate this point further, Maimonides employed an analogy that suggests observing an object becomes increasingly difficult when viewed from a considerable distance.

According to Maimonides, the only known information about God is that He is a living entity and not a human, plant, or animal. We can establish His existence but not His essence or attributes. Hence, any attributed qualities such as kindness, love, and goodness are considered coincidences since they cannot be verified.

According to Maimonides, the limited knowledge humans have about God can only be understood through negation. Since God is not a human being, it is impossible to define Him using human language. Consequently, proving His existence is also unattainable because His nature cannot be defined. In order to understand what something is not, one must first establish what it is. The attributes attributed to God by humans cannot be verified as they are expressed in human language that does not apply to Him. This highlights the difficulty of defining and proving God's existence using human means

within the realm of philosophy.