1 Intro To Philosophy and Logic Flashcards
What is philosophy?
Philosophy is thinking about big questions, like “Why is the sky blue?” or “What is the meaning of life?”
Why is philosophy important?
Philosophy helps us think deeply and understand things better. For example, it helps us decide what is right or wrong and how to be a good friend.
Who were some famous philosophers?
Thales: He thought that everything in the world is made of water, like rivers and oceans.
Pythagoras: He discovered that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the longest side is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. It’s like a math magic trick!
Plato: He talked about the idea of fairness and believed that everyone should be treated equally.
Aristotle: He believed in studying and learning about the world around us to become wise.
Socrates: He asked questions to make people think, like “What is courage?” or “What is love?”
Simone de Beauvoir: She believed that girls and boys should have the same opportunities in life.
What are the branches of philosophy?
Metaphysics: It asks big questions about things we can’t see, like “What is the soul?” or “Is there life on other planets?”
Epistemology: It studies how we know things. For example, how do we know that the Earth is round?
Axiology: It looks at what is good and beautiful. Like, why do people think flowers are beautiful?
Logic: It helps us think clearly and solve problems, like figuring out a puzzle or making a plan.
Why is philosophy helpful?
Philosophy helps us make good decisions.
For example, if someone wants to take your toy, you can think about whether it’s fair to share or keep it for yourself.
What is being philosophical?
Being philosophical means thinking carefully before making decisions
. For instance, if you see a friend getting bullied, you can think about how to help them and what the right thing to do is.
Theories
Ideas or explanations about how things work, like why birds can fly.
Philosopher
Someone who thinks a lot about life’s big questions and tries to find answers.
Geometry
A type of math that helps us understand shapes, like triangles or circles.
Define Golden mean
Finding a good balance in life, like eating healthy food but also enjoying some treats
Define a feminist
Someone who believes that girls and boys should be treated equally and have the same chances in life.
Epistemology
Epistemology is the study of how we gain knowledge and find out what is true.
Example: When you learn new things at school or ask questions to understand the world, you are using epistemology.
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is about exploring big questions like what is real and why we are here.
Example: Wondering about things like whether there are aliens in outer space or what happens after we die involves thinking about metaphysics.
Logic
Logic helps us think clearly and make good arguments based on reasons and facts.
Example: When you try to convince your friend that it’s a good idea to share toys, you can use logic by giving reasons like “It’s fair to take turns” or “We can have more fun playing together.”
Aesthetics
Definition: Aesthetics is about beauty and what people think looks nice or pleasing.
Example: When you draw a pretty picture or choose colors that go well together in your artwork, you are using aesthetics.
Ethics
Ethics is about knowing what is right and wrong and making good choices.
Example: When you decide not to take someone else’s toys without asking because you know it’s not fair, you are using ethics.
Political Philosophy
Political philosophy is about thinking about how the government works and what is fair for everyone in a society.
Example: When you talk about what rules are good for a game you’re playing with your friends, you are using political philosophy on a smaller scale.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking means making logical and well-thought-out judgments by questioning arguments and seeking evidence. It involves curiosity, skepticism, and humility.
Example: When someone tells you a story about a magic potion that can make you fly, critical thinking means asking for proof or evidence before believing it.
Curiosity
Definition: Curiosity is the desire to learn more, explore new ideas, and seek evidence to support or challenge beliefs.
Example: When you see a new bug in your garden, curiosity makes you want to learn more about it by asking questions and finding information.
Skepticism
Skepticism is having a questioning attitude and not believing everything without evidence or logical reasoning.
Example: If someone claims they can talk to aliens, skepticism makes you question how they know it’s true and ask for evidence to support their claim.
Humility
Humility is the ability to admit when you’re wrong and change your opinions or beliefs based on new evidence.
Example: When you realize you made a mistake in a math problem, humility allows you to accept the correction and learn from it.
Anecdotes
Anecdotes are personal stories or experiences, but they should not be the sole basis for forming general beliefs or making decisions.
Example: If a friend tells you their lucky charm helped them win a game, critical thinking reminds you that one person’s experience doesn’t guarantee the same outcome for everyone.
Testing Ideas
Testing ideas means examining them carefully and gathering evidence to see if they are supported or if there are alternative explanations.
Example: If you want to know if plants need sunlight to grow, you can set up an experiment with two identical plants, one exposed to sunlight and the other kept in the dark, to test your hypothesis.
