Philosophy 203
Professor Borrowdale
Tues./Thurs.
1:00-2:20 pm.
Week 1
Thursday
September 26, 2002
Paula Jones
Class Notes

Class began with a 20 min. +/- discussion on how to post weekly web notes, what notes should consist of, and the importance of having notes posted. Each student is responsible to post notes a total of two times throughout the 10 week fall term, reflecting two separate class periods. Instructions for posting notes on the web are fairly simple and outlined in the syllabus. (Today’s notes were not posted due to technical difficulty).

Discussion topic began with “What is reality?” “What kinds of things are there?”

A definition becomes complex based upon individual experience. Is what is visual all and only what exists?

Theories of Reality….Metaphysics/Ontology
Definition: Metaphysics came after physics. Physics is the study of nature and the natural world vs. the spiritual (metaphysics).

Three important philosophers: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle

5th and 4th century B.C. ancient Greece produced philosophers Socrates and Plato.
Socrates is known as the father of philosophy. Pre-Socrates reflects the existence of early scientists of natural philosophy. Aristotle was such a philosopher. Socrates’ knowledge was gained through questioning, conversation, debate, “dynamic social thing.”
Plato was a writer using the form of dialogue. What is known of Socrates comes from the writings of Plato. Plato used Socrates for his dialogue. His earliest work used questions not answered, incorporating conversation of others speaking with Socrates. In Plato’s later work the others are fazed out and Plato’s impressions become stronger. Socrates identity begins to resemble more of Aristotle. Aristotle created a book about metaphysics, which came after the study of physics.

Metaphysics: Questions asked after the scientific questions are asked.
Example of questions asked: Why is there something rather than nothing?
Example of scientific questions asked: What is a star? What are they made of?

Branches of Philosophy:

Metaphysics/Ontology: Theory of reality
Epistemology: Theory of knowledge
Ethics: Theory of value, right or wrong, good or evil
Basic theory of morality
Logic: Rules of reasoning> Critical thinking class
Patterning of good reasoning vs. bad reasoning
History of Philosophy: Study of philosophers and their beliefs
Specializations: Philosophy of religion, etc.
Overlap into other areas of philosophy

This class will concentrate on metaphysics. Many questions will be presented as the course moves along such as “Do you think for yourself, are you an independent being or a product of society?”

Today’s discussion: What is truth?
Are ideas of truth impacted by God’s point of view and/or independent perception? Is truth relative or absolute? What is defined through perception of reality? Discussion within class brought in historical and documented facts such as the world is round and mathematical equations of proof such as 2+2=4.
An example of a thought to be truth is the belief in Phlogiston: a definition used to explain less weight in fuel after combustion. Negative weight merges with the object(s) burning causing less weight. This was a belief and today the chemical process is claimed to be better understood.
There is no absolute truth. Is this true? This statement seems to be contradictory.
Is the understanding of truth only time related? Is truth an independent and individual perception? “You can’t step in the same river twice.” The meaning of truth itself is hard to define. Do words mean things? Do words have an objective or a determinant meaning?
Western Philosophy believes yes. Eastern Philosophy believes no.
“To pose the question is to play the language game.”

Axiom: an assumption you can’t start out with but don’t question. A fundamental assumption
Skepticism: Theory that there are no answers. There is no absolute truth but we can never know it.

Relativism: Truth is relative to individuals or society as a whole.

Absolutism: There is truth and it is knowable, to some degree.
(We will cover this throughout the course)

“Truth is that which corresponds with reality.” Truth is a quality of beliefs or statements.

Students are to complete reading chapter 1 of the assigned text. A reader assigned for the class will be available in the bookstore to purchase in a few weeks.

Please excuse any spelling errors or recording of information incorrectly.
If you have questions, please bring them up during class time for discussion.
Paula Jones