What Is Philosophy? What Is The Proper Way To Do Philosophy? ✓ Solved

What Is Philosophy? What Is the Proper Way to Do Philosophy?

Essay Questions (25 points each) Section I: Pick 1

1) What is philosophy? What is the proper way to do philosophy? (In your answer, be sure to correct common misconceptions about philosophy.)

2) How, why and when should we trust reasoning? (Be sure to talk about the difference between instinctive and careful reasoning, and give examples of both.)

Section II: Pick 1

3) What is abduction and why do we need to use it? (In your answer, be sure to talk about the ways our “common sense” can lead us astray. Also go into detail about how one performs abduction; name and define the criteria used and articulate how to use them.)

4) What is Descartes’ dream problem? What conclusion does it suggest is true? How did Descartes try to solve it? Is the dream problem solvable (is its conclusion true)?

Section III: Pick 1

5) According to Locke, how accurate are our beliefs about the world? (Be sure to talk about the difference between primary and secondary qualities.)

6) Explain Hume’s problem of induction and its relevance to whether or not we can have knowledge of the world.

Paper For Above Instructions

Philosophy is a field of study that seeks to understand fundamental questions regarding existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. The term itself stems from the Greek words “philos” (loving) and “sophia” (wisdom), thus philosophy can be defined as the love of wisdom. To engage with philosophy properly, it is essential to approach it with an open and critical mind, ready to question assumptions and explore diverse perspectives. Common misconceptions about philosophy include that it is merely abstract speculation or that it lacks practical application. In reality, philosophy deals with the principles that underlie various disciplines and can inform personal decision-making and public policy.

One important aspect of doing philosophy is distinguishing between reasoning methods. Rationality encompasses two primary forms of reasoning: instinctive reasoning and careful reasoning. Instinctive reasoning arises from intuitive responses, often emotional or impulsive, and is characterized by quick judgments based on patterns and heuristics. In contrast, careful reasoning requires deliberation, systematic analysis, and validation of premises before drawing conclusions. For instance, while an instinctive response might lead someone to judge a person by their appearance, careful reasoning would involve considering context, intent, and evidence before forming an opinion.

Moving to Section II, one notable concept is abduction, a form of reasoning that relies on inference to the best explanation. It involves generating hypotheses that can explain observations or phenomena. Abduction is necessary because it helps navigate situations where common sense fails to provide a clear answer, enabling individuals to form hypotheses that are tested against further evidence. Our “common sense” can be misleading; for example, the assumption that heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones was a widely held belief before scientific investigation revealed otherwise. To perform abduction effectively, one must use a set of criteria: simplicity, consistency with existing knowledge, and explanatory power. By weighing these criteria, one can discern which hypothesis is most plausible in explaining the circumstances at hand.

Regarding Descartes' dream problem, this philosophical dilemma questions the nature of reality and our ability to discern it. Descartes offers that reality could be indistinguishable from a dream, thereby casting doubt on what can be known for certain. He concludes that if dreams can simulate experience so convincingly, it becomes difficult to ascertain the authenticity of our perceptions in a waking state. Descartes attempts to solve this issue by proposing the idea of a deceiving demon that could manipulate our thoughts and sensations, suggesting that absolute certainty might be unattainable in the existence of external objects. The resolution of the dream problem remains elusive: while we can recognize the distinctions between waking and dreaming states, establishing what constitutes ultimate truth presents ongoing philosophical challenges.

Shifting focus, the question of how accurate our beliefs about the world are, as posed by John Locke, introduces critical distinctions between primary and secondary qualities. Primary qualities, such as shape, motion, and number, exist independently of perception; they are inherent in the object. On the other hand, secondary qualities, such as color, taste, and sound, are contingent upon the observer's experience and perception. Locke contended that while primary qualities are objectively measurable, secondary qualities can vary widely and influence how we perceive the reality of the world around us, thus highlighting the limitations inherent in human understanding.

Finally, Hume’s problem of induction raises significant concerns regarding the justification of inductive reasoning. Induction relies on observing patterns in specific instances to formulate general principles; however, Hume questioned whether such reasoning could ever guarantee knowledge of the world. He argued that past experiences do not logically necessitate future occurrences, thus emphasizing the unpredictability of nature and the limitation of induction. This skepticism surrounds the quest for knowledge, suggesting that even our most well-supported beliefs may lack certainty.

In conclusion, philosophy is a rich and diverse field that encourages critical scrutiny of our beliefs and the ways in which we reason. Engaging deeply with philosophical inquiries—be it exploring the nature of knowledge, the intricacies of reasoning, or the limitations of perception—fuels intellectual growth and fosters a deeper understanding of the world. Whether assessing the merits of traditional views through the lens of modern philosophy or grappling with fundamental questions about existence and knowledge, the value of philosophical inquiry continues to illuminate human thought.

References

• Descartes, R. (1996). Meditations on First Philosophy. Cambridge University Press.
• Hume, D. (1748). An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Prometheus Books.
• Locke, J. (1975). An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Oxford University Press.
• Peirce, C. S. (1931). Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Harvard University Press.
• Godfrey-Smith, P. (2003). Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. University of Chicago Press.
• Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Wittgenstein, L. (2001). Philosophical Investigations. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Russell, B. (2004). The Problems of Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
• Nagel, T. (1986). The View From Nowhere. Oxford University Press.
• Searle, J. R. (1980). Minds, Brains and Science: The 1980 Reith Lectures. Penguin Books.