EMMITT
1-15-2002
Metaphysics


Philosophy: An attempt to come to a systematic understanding of the world through the use of reason.
Differs from religion. Religion uses sacred texts, and blind faith. Philosophy uses logic and reason.

1. Metaphysics: theory of reality, nature of reality, also called Ontology.
2. Epistemology: the theory of knowledge.
3. Ethics: what things are right and wrong, good vs. evil.
4. Aesthetics: theory of art.
5. Logic: finding good and bad patterns of reasoning; true vs. false.
6. Political and Social Philosophy: can be a sub-category of Ethics.

The Mind-Body Problem: (How do they relate to one another?)
Monist-
Idealism: everything is mental/spiritual, material world is an illusion. (Berkeley, Hume, Hegal, Hindusim)
Materialism: everything is physical. (Taylor, Skinner, Russell)

Dualism: there are both mental and physical substances. (Descartes, Plato, Judaism/Christanity)
Descartes: Dualist answer to the mind-body problem;
Cartesian Interactionism:
~the mind-body interact in the pineal gland. (brain)
~you know you exist as a mind just by thinking. (I think, therefore I am.)
~mind, soul, self, person: thoughts, ideas, beliefs, Questions, memories.
~body: matter occupies space, size, shape, mass, location, motion/rest.
Objections:
1. Locates interaction in the pineal gland.
2. Ghost in the machine objection. How can spirit affect matter?

I think, therefore I am.
I exist.
God exists.
God is good and no deceiver.
Therefore if it seems a material world exists, it does.