Lesson 3.5: What is Philosophy Flashcards
two appraches to philosophical inquiry
dialectic and socratic method
form of dialogue that involves asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying assumptions. It is a conversational technique used to explore complex ideas and uncover beliefs.
socratic method
primary goal of the socratic method
achieve a deeper understanding of a topic and expose contradictions or inconsistencies in one’s thoughts
process of socratic methd
questioning; clarification; refutation; re-evaluation
The person being questioned is encouraged to re-evaluate their beliefs.
re-evaluation
Through these questions, he sought to clarify concepts and ideas.
clarification
structured form of dialogue where opposing ideas are presented and discussed to reach a higher understanding or synthesis.
dialectic method
dialectic method originates from
the greek word “dialektikē”
the dialectic method is more
broad than the socratic method
purpose of dialectic method
resolve contradictions between logical argumentation and to synthesize a higher level of understanding
process of dialectic method
thesis, antithesis, synthesis
A particular idea or starting point.
thesis
An opposing idea that challenges the thesis.
antithesis
The resolution that reconciles the thesis and antithesis, leading to a new
understanding.
synthesis
Primarily used for examining beliefs and achieving moral and
intellectual clarity through questioning.
socratic method
A broader process that includes the synthesis of opposing
ideas to develop a more comprehensive understanding.
dialectic method
Typically involves one-on-one dialogue with a focus on
exposing contradictions.
socratic method
Can involve multiple viewpoints and is often used to explore
and reconcile complex philosophical, ethical, or theoretical issues.
dialectic method
Often leads to a deeper awareness of ignorance or uncertainty,
prompting further inquiry.
socratic method
Aims to achieve a synthesis or resolution of differing
perspectives, resulting in a more refined understanding.
dialectic method
an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches the development of self-control and
fortitude as a means to overcome destructive emotions.
stoicism
stoicism was founded
in Athens by Zeno of Citium in early 3rd century BCE
key principles of stoicism
virtue as the highest good; emotional resilience; focus on what you can control; acceptance of fate; living according to nature
Stoics believe that the highest good is
virtue
virtue consists of
wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance
A virtuous life leads to
happiness and tranquility
Stoicism teaches that we should not be controlled by our desires
or emotions.
emotional resilience
an understanding and acceptance of the
natural order
logos
what is within our control according to stoicism
our thoughts, actions, and attitudes
what is not within our control according to stoicism
external events and other people’s actions
They argue that we should only concern ourselves with what we can control
and accept what we cannot.
focus on what you can control
Stoics practice
amor fati
amor fati means
love of fate
This principle encourages acceptance of all events as necessary parts of the whole,
leading to a life free of frustration and disappointment.
acceptance of fate (amor fati)
Stoicism teaches that we should live in accordance with
nature, both in the sense of being in harmony with the universe and understanding
human nature.
living according to nature
key figures in stoicism
zeno of citium; epictetus; seneca; marcus aurelius
The founder of Stoicism who taught in Athens. He established the basic
principles of Stoic philosophy.
zeno of citium
A former slave who became a prominent Stoic teacher. His teachings
emphasized the power of the individual’s will and the importance of self-discipline.
epictetus
A Roman statesman and philosopher who wrote extensively on Stoic ethics and
practical wisdom.
seneca
A Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, known for his work
“Meditations,” which is a series of personal writings reflecting his Stoic beliefs.
marcus aurelius
practical applications of stoicism
dealing with stress; building resilience; improving decision-making
By focusing on what you can control and accepting what you can’t, Stoicism helps reduce stress and anxiety.
dealing with stress
Stoicism encourages emotional resilience by promoting the idea that external events do not define us, but our reactions to them do.
building resilience
The emphasis on rational thinking and virtue helps in making clear and ethical decisions.
improving decision making
involves focusing on specific parts of a situation or problem without necessarily
considering the whole context.
partial thinking
It involves analyzing individual elements separately rather than
looking at the bigger picture.
partial thinking
involves looking at the big picture and considering all aspects of a situation or problem.
holistic thinking
It emphasizes the connections and relationships between different parts and seeks to understand the whole system rather than just individual components.
holistic thinking
