Introduction to Philosophy

Overview of Philosophy

Philosophy seeks to understand fundamental truths about ourselves, our world, and our relationships to the world and each other. It's divided into major branches:

• Metaphysics (the nature of reality)
• Epistemology (the nature and scope of knowledge)
• Ethics (moral values)
• Logic (principles of reasoning)
• Aesthetics (beauty and art)

How to Study Philosophy

• Recommended Reading: "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder offers a novelized overview of Western philosophy.
• Critical Thinking Skills: "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman.
• Online Course: "Introduction to Philosophy" on Coursera by the University of Edinburgh.

Ancient Philosophy

Socratic Philosophy

Socrates’ dialectical method, aimed at defining concepts, is foundational. He’s known through Plato’s dialogues.

Platonic Philosophy

Plato’s "Republic" discusses justice and the ideal state. The theory of forms proposes abstract forms or ideas are the truest reality.

Aristotelian Philosophy

Aristotle’s "Nicomachean Ethics" and "Politics" are seminal works in ethics and political theory. "Metaphysics" explores the concept of being.

Stoicism