What Is Philosophy?What Is Philosophy?

The Definition: The Definition: Philosophy Philosophy is…is…

a study of ideas about human a study of ideas about human nature in relation to the reality in nature in relation to the reality in which we live. which we live.

a guide for living because the a guide for living because the issues it addresses are basic and issues it addresses are basic and pervasive. pervasive.

And…And…

It determines the course we take It determines the course we take in life…in life…

andand

how we treat other people.how we treat other people.

Philosophical Topics:Philosophical Topics:

Metaphysics – Metaphysics – the theory of realitythe theory of reality

Epistemology – Epistemology – the theory of knowledgethe theory of knowledge

Ethics – Ethics – the theory of moral valuesthe theory of moral values

Politics – Politics – the theory of legal rights & governmentthe theory of legal rights & government

Aesthetics – Aesthetics – the theory of the nature of artthe theory of the nature of art

Ethics: A DefinitionEthics: A Definition

Ethics does not apply to everything that Ethics does not apply to everything that exists – only to man, but it applies to exists – only to man, but it applies to every aspect of man’s life: his character, every aspect of man’s life: his character, his actions, his values, his relationship to his actions, his values, his relationship to all existence. Ethics defines a code of all existence. Ethics defines a code of values to guide man’s choices & actions values to guide man’s choices & actions – the choices & actions that determine – the choices & actions that determine the course of his life.the course of his life.From: From: Philosophy: Who Needs ItPhilosophy: Who Needs It

Author: Ayn Rand Author: Ayn Rand

Therefore…Therefore…

Ethics involves asking questions Ethics involves asking questions about life.about life.

Ethics requires examining right & Ethics requires examining right & wrong conduct.wrong conduct.

Ethics requires examining good & Ethics requires examining good & bad values.bad values.

Ethics assists us in how to behave.Ethics assists us in how to behave.

It is also about self-It is also about self-restraint…restraint… Not doing what you have the Not doing what you have the

power to do.power to do.

An act isn’t proper simply An act isn’t proper simply because because it is permissible or it is permissible or you can get you can get away with it.away with it.

Not doing what you have the right Not doing what you have the right to do. to do.

There is a big difference There is a big difference between between what you have the what you have the right to do and right to do and what is right to what is right to do.do.

Not doing what you want to do. Not doing what you want to do.

An ethical person often An ethical person often chooses to chooses to do more than the do more than the law requires and law requires and less than the less than the law allows.law allows.

Principles of Ethical Principles of Ethical Behavior:Behavior: The touchstone of a person’s The touchstone of a person’s

character is HONESTY, including character is HONESTY, including truth & justice.truth & justice.

The end never justifies the means.The end never justifies the means.

If any element of a case is evil If any element of a case is evil (actions, motives, consequences), (actions, motives, consequences), the action itself is considered wrong.the action itself is considered wrong.