Philosophy

• An attempt to formulate and answer fundamental questions
  • Often deals with questions related to good/bad, right/wrong
• The value of philosophy
  • Instrumental value
    • Valuable because it can bring us something we want
      • E.g. money is valuable because of the purchasing power we give it
    • Philosophical assumptions made by us can shape our world
      • Cause us to act
    • Can lead us to be better thinkers, readers, and writers
  • Inherent (intrinsic) value
    • According to a UK study students that study philosophy are more satisfied with their education
    • Philosophy helps you discover what and why you think the way you do
      • Useful for navigating the world
      • Helps us truly develop who we are as individuals
      • "The unexamined life is not worth living." ~ Socrates
  • A goal of philosophy should be to scrutinize received wisdoms

Subfields

• Metaphysics
• Epistemology
• Logic
• Ethics
  • Value Theory