Introduction to Philosophy
Dr. SHAFAYAT ALI
Assistant Professor/HOD
Department of Mass Comm.
Govt. College of Science,
Wahdat Road, Lahore

Introduction
The word philosophy is derived from the Greek words
philia (love) and sophia (wisdom) “philosophia” means
"love of wisdom" or "friend of wisdom".
MEANING OF PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such
as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind,
and language.
Philosophy is the rational attempt to formulate, understand, and
answer fundamental questions.

Definitions of Philosophy
 The study of the nature and meaning of the universe and
of human life -Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
 Truth of reason (Analytical propositions)-Immanuel Kant
 Philosophy is a systematic and comprehensive study of
truth about life, about the universe, and everything
including events, relationship and experience.
(Wikipedia)

Origin of Philosophy
 Socrates, a Greek philosopher used the term
philosophie as an equivalent to the search for
wisdom. Also, the term wisdom is used as a general
term for describing the intellectual probing of any
idea.
 philosopher, defined as one who is attempting to
find out

Goals of Philosophy
 Wisdom is the main goal of philosophy.
 Discovering the nature of truth and the nature of
knowledge.
 It searches for what is basic value and importance in life.
 Examining the relationship between individuals and the
society as well as humanity and nature.

Some Philosophical questions/
What will we be Studying?
 What is life and why am I here? Is life a dream (who am I?)
 What is knowledge
 What is a person? Am I really Awake? Do we have free will?
 What is truth? (Reality )
 What is the distinction between right and wrong? What is evil?
 Does the world around us exist?
 Does God exist?
 What happens when you die?
 What is science?
 What is love? (everything is fair in love and war?)

IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY
 The study of Philosophy enables us to think carefully and
clearly about important issues.
 In studying Philosophy, we learn to take a step back from our
everyday thinking and to explore the deeper, bigger question.
 The focus in the study is to learn what to believe, how to think.
 Studying philosophy sharpens your analytical abilities.
 It enhance your ability to construct arguments of your own.
 It prompts your thinking about problems which do not present.
 It also develops your ability to think and work independently.

Branches in Philosophy
Philosophy, like most academic fields, actually consists of
several main branches. These branches themselves have
sub branches and can become very specialized as one
progresses through the field of study.
Historically, philosophical concerns have been treated
under these broad categories:
 Metaphysics
 Epistemology
 Logic
 Axiology (Study of values)

METAPHYSICS
Metaphysics is the study of the fundamental nature of
all reality - what is it.
The study of all of reality, visible and invisible.
The question of metaphysics is:
what is reality?
Is reality some kind of “thing”. Is it one or is it many? If it
is one, then how is it related to many things around us?
Can ultimate reality be grasped by five senses, or is it
supernatural or transcendent?

Metaphysics (cont.)
What is space?
What is time?
What is a mind?
What is a body?
What is consciousness?
Do people have souls?
Is there a God who created the Universe?
Metaphysics is sometimes split up into Ontology
The philosophy of real life and living things

Epistemology
Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that studies the…..
 sources, nature, and validity of knowledge.
1.What are the sources of knowledge?
Where does genuine knowledge come from or how do we
know? This is the question of origins.
2.What is the nature of knowledge? Is there a real world
outside the mind, and if so can we know it? This is the
question of appearance versus reality.
3.Is our knowledge valid? How do we distinguish truth from
error?

Logic
Logic is the study of the principles of correct reasoning.
study of methods of reasoning and argumentation.
Rules we can use to distinguish good arguments from bad
ones. The ability to test arguments for logical consistency,
understand the logical consequences of certain assumptions.
How can we reason correctly?
What do the words we use mean?
How can we say things (especially ideas) in a way that only
has one meaning?

Axiology (Study of values)
Ethics
Studies questions of how we should act. Study of Good,
Bad, Right, Wrong.
Ethics is the formal study of moral standards and conduct
and is also often called "moral philosophy."
Aesthetics
Studies questions about art and beauty.
Social and Political Philosophy
Studies questions of which political or economic
institutions are most fair and just

Axiology (cont.)
Social and Political Philosophy
Social and political philosophy investigates value judgments
concerning society, the state, and the individual’s relation to these
institutions.
Why should individuals live in society?
What social ideals of liberty, rights, justice, equality and
responsibility are desirable?
Why should anyone obey any government?
Why should some individuals or groups have political power over
others? What criteria are to be used in determining who should
have political power?

Science vs. Philosophy vs. Religions
Thank You !