Philosophy Lecture 02

Introduction to PhilosophyIntroduction to Philosophy

IS-VNUIS-VNUMr. Mike Mr. Mike Lecture 2Lecture 2

Pre-SocraticsPre-Socratics

Philosophers prior Philosophers prior to Socratesto Socrates

Some Some Contemporaries of Contemporaries of Socrates who were Socrates who were not influenced by not influenced by his teachinghis teaching

Beginning of Beginning of Western PhilosophyWestern Philosophy

Questions of Pre-Socratics

Is the universe Is the universe ONEONE or or MANYMANY? ?

What is the basic What is the basic SUBSTANCESUBSTANCE of the of the world? world?

Is Is CHANGECHANGE possible possible or an illusion? or an illusion?

What is the What is the relationship between relationship between MathematicsMathematics, Reason , Reason and the world? and the world?

ThalesThales

Father of Western Father of Western PhilosophyPhilosophy

Greek – Lived in the Greek – Lived in the town of Miletus in Asia-town of Miletus in Asia-Minor (modern-day Minor (modern-day Turkey)Turkey)

Didn't assume Didn't assume knowledge based on knowledge based on authority or religionauthority or religion

Thoughts based on Thoughts based on observation and observation and reflection reflection

ThalesThales

Basic Ideas of ThalesBasic Ideas of Thales

Everything is made Everything is made of a single elementof a single element

The basic element is The basic element is WATERWATER

The earth is floating The earth is floating on wateron water

PythagorasPythagorasGreek Mathematician Greek Mathematician

Pythagorean Theorem: Pythagorean Theorem: The sum of the areas of the The sum of the areas of the two squares on the legs (a) two squares on the legs (a) and (b) equals the area of and (b) equals the area of the square on the the square on the hypotenuse (c).hypotenuse (c).

Head of a religious cult Head of a religious cult which was heavily which was heavily influenced by influenced by mathematicsmathematics

Numbers are the true Numbers are the true nature of realitynature of reality

PythagorasPythagoras

Philosophical QuestionsPhilosophical Questions

Do humans have a soul? Do humans have a soul?

What happens after physical death?What happens after physical death?

Is there a power or being greater than the Is there a power or being greater than the CosmosCosmos (universe)? (universe)?

Is the Cosmos orderly or chaotic? Why? Is the Cosmos orderly or chaotic? Why?


First thinker to use First thinker to use mathematics in philosophymathematics in philosophy

Believed that the cosmos is Believed that the cosmos is saturated with structure saturated with structure (therefore saturated with (therefore saturated with mathematics) mathematics)

Intelligent Design – Intelligent Design – Structure of Cosmos is Structure of Cosmos is evidence of an “Intelligence” evidence of an “Intelligence” behind the Cosmosbehind the Cosmos

PythagorasPythagorasNature is full of geometrical shapes. Nature is full of geometrical shapes.

PythagorasPythagorasNature is full patterns and organization.Nature is full patterns and organization.

Daily Sunrise and Sunset

Four Repeating Seasons

Birth – Growth – Death

Ocean Waves and Tides

Flocks of Birds

PythagorasPythagorasCompare Nature and Man-made thingsCompare Nature and Man-made things


Transmigration of SoulsTransmigration of Souls

The soul survives The soul survives physical death.physical death.

The soul moves The soul moves (transmigration)(transmigration) to a to a new physical body new physical body after death. after death.

XenophanesXenophanes

QuestionsQuestions

What is reality? What is reality?

Can humans know Can humans know reality? reality?

What is God like? What is God like?

Is there One God or Is there One God or many gods? many gods?


Reality and KnowledgeReality and Knowledge

““as for certain truth, no man as for certain truth, no man has known it, has known it,

Nor shall he know it, neither Nor shall he know it, neither of the godsof the gods

Nor yet of all the things of Nor yet of all the things of which I speak...which I speak...

For all is but a woven web of For all is but a woven web of guesses.” guesses.”


Reality and KnowledgeReality and Knowledge

RealityReality – There actually – There actually exists a truth of reality exists a truth of reality

KnowledgeKnowledge – Humans are – Humans are unable to know it with unable to know it with certainty certainty

Contemporary philosophies Contemporary philosophies of Critical Rationalism (Karl of Critical Rationalism (Karl Popper) and Critical Realism Popper) and Critical Realism (Roy Bhaskar) hold similar (Roy Bhaskar) hold similar views. views.

XenophanesXenophanesGod(s) God(s) But if cattle and horses and lions had But if cattle and horses and lions had handshands

or could paint with their hands and or could paint with their hands and create works such as men do,create works such as men do,

horses like horses and cattle like cattlehorses like horses and cattle like cattle

also would depict the gods' shapes and also would depict the gods' shapes and make their bodiesmake their bodies

of such a sort as the form they of such a sort as the form they themselves have.themselves have.

......

Ethiopians say that their gods are snub–Ethiopians say that their gods are snub–nosed [σιμούς] and blacknosed [σιμούς] and black

Thracians that they are pale and red-Thracians that they are pale and red-haired.haired.

XenophanesXenophanesGod(s) God(s)

Since humans really can't Since humans really can't know the gods they have know the gods they have made them up in their own made them up in their own image. image.

Possibly the first Monotheist Possibly the first Monotheist in Western Philosophy in Western Philosophy

Development of the concept of a Development of the concept of a "one god greatest among gods and "one god greatest among gods and men" men"

God is abstractGod is abstract

God is universalGod is universal

God is unchangingGod is unchanging

God is immobile God is immobile

God is always presentGod is always present

HeraclitusHeraclitusQuestionsQuestions

Is there anything that Is there anything that doesn't change?doesn't change?

What are opposites? What are opposites?

What is the primary What is the primary element of the universe? element of the universe?

What is the principle What is the principle order of knowledge? order of knowledge?

HeraclitusHeraclitusEverything is FluxEverything is Flux

The only constant The only constant thing in the universe is thing in the universe is changechange

“ “You can't step into You can't step into the same river twice”the same river twice”

VocabularyVocabulary

FluxFlux – constant change – constant change

HeraclitusHeraclitusActivity: Activity:

Is this mountain trail Is this mountain trail going going UPUP or or DOWNDOWN? ?


Is this glass of water Is this glass of water half-emptyhalf-empty or or half-half-fullfull? ?


Is money Is money GoodGood or or EvilEvil? ?

HeraclitusHeraclitus


Unity of OppositesUnity of Opposites

The way Up is DownThe way Up is Down

Half-full is half-emptyHalf-full is half-empty

Money is Good and EvilMoney is Good and Evil

Similar to concept of Yin-Similar to concept of Yin-Yang Yang


Fire is the Primary ElementFire is the Primary Element

3 Principle Elements – 3 Principle Elements – FireFire, , EarthEarth and and WaterWater

Fire is the Primary Element Fire is the Primary Element because it controls and because it controls and changes the other twochanges the other two

The Cosmic Fire is the The Cosmic Fire is the center of the cosmos. center of the cosmos. Human souls come from it Human souls come from it and return to it after death.and return to it after death.

HeraclitusHeraclitusLogosLogos

““This Logos holds always but humans always prove This Logos holds always but humans always prove unable to understand it, both before hearing it and when unable to understand it, both before hearing it and when they have first heard it. For though they have first heard it. For though all things come to be all things come to be in accordance with this Logosin accordance with this Logos, humans are like the , humans are like the inexperienced when they experience such words and inexperienced when they experience such words and deeds as I set out, distinguishing each in accordance with deeds as I set out, distinguishing each in accordance with its nature and saying how it is. But other people fail to its nature and saying how it is. But other people fail to notice what they do when awake, just as they forget what notice what they do when awake, just as they forget what they do while asleep.” they do while asleep.”

““For this reason it is necessary to follow what is common. For this reason it is necessary to follow what is common. But although the But although the Logos is commonLogos is common, most people live as if , most people live as if they had their own private understanding.” they had their own private understanding.”

HeraclitusHeraclitusLogosLogos

Principle order of all Principle order of all knowledge and existenceknowledge and existence

The link between rational The link between rational discourse and the discourse and the rational structure of the rational structure of the world.world.

Logos has an Logos has an independent existence independent existence and is universaland is universal

Possibly a divine entity Possibly a divine entity

ParmenidesParmenidesQuestionsQuestions

What is the nature What is the nature of reality? of reality?

Is change possible?Is change possible?

Can you trust your Can you trust your sensory sensory perceptions? perceptions?

What is the Logos? What is the Logos?

ParmenidesParmenidesDiscussion:Discussion:

Do Unicorns Exist?Do Unicorns Exist?

Why? Why not? Why? Why not?

What is Existence? What is Existence?

What is Real? What is Real?

ParmenidesParmenidesDo Unicorns Exist?Do Unicorns Exist?

Parmenides believes that Parmenides believes that unicorns do existunicorns do exist

““One cannot know that One cannot know that which is not – that which which is not – that which is impossible, nor utter it; is impossible, nor utter it; for it is the same thing that for it is the same thing that can be thought, that is.can be thought, that is.””

To think of something is to To think of something is to think of an idea (i.e. Uncorn)think of an idea (i.e. Uncorn)

The IDEA of a unicorn is real. The IDEA of a unicorn is real.

Therefore unicorns are real in Therefore unicorns are real in the realm of ideas. the realm of ideas.

ParmenidesParmenides To think of something means To think of something means that “that “somethingsomething” exists” exists

It is impossible to think of It is impossible to think of “something” that does not exists “something” that does not exists because you would have to think because you would have to think of “something” and “not-of “something” and “not-something” at the same time. something” at the same time.

Existence includes more than Existence includes more than objects in the physical world.objects in the physical world.

When you think of “something” When you think of “something” you are thinking of an you are thinking of an IDEAIDEA. .

Ideas are real. Ideas are real.

Reality includes Reality includes IDEASIDEAS..

ParmenidesParmenides

Everything is EternalEverything is Eternal

It is impossible for It is impossible for something to come out something to come out of nothing.of nothing.

It is also impossible to It is also impossible to for something to become for something to become nothing. nothing.

Therefore, things are Therefore, things are eternal (no beginning eternal (no beginning and no end). and no end).

ParmenidesParmenidesTime does not change Time does not change

If you can think of If you can think of something that will exist something that will exist in the future, then it in the future, then it exists in your mind in the exists in your mind in the present. present.

If you think of something If you think of something that existed in the past, that existed in the past, then it also exists in your then it also exists in your mind in the present. mind in the present.

Therefore, anything that Therefore, anything that can be thought of has can be thought of has always existed and always existed and always will exist. always will exist.

ParmenidesParmenidesChange is an IllusionChange is an Illusion

If everything that can be If everything that can be thought of is eternal, thought of is eternal, then the universe is an then the universe is an eternal, single and eternal, single and unchanging entity. unchanging entity.

If the universe is and If the universe is and eternal, unchanging and eternal, unchanging and single entity, then single entity, then CHANGE is impossible. CHANGE is impossible.

Opposite view of Opposite view of Heraclitus. Heraclitus.

What we perceive as What we perceive as change is just an illusion change is just an illusion

ParmenidesParmenidesPerception:Perception:

What kind of woman do What kind of woman do you see? you see?

ParmenidesParmenidesPerception:Perception:

Paramenides said that Paramenides said that we can't trust our we can't trust our sensory perception sensory perception (sight, hearing, touch...) (sight, hearing, touch...) because they can be because they can be deceived. deceived.

ParmenidesParmenides

LogosLogos

Truth cannot be Truth cannot be known though known though sensory perception. sensory perception.

Truth can only be Truth can only be know through Logos. know through Logos.

Logos = Reason Logos = Reason

Zeno of EleaZeno of Elea

Paramenides' Student Paramenides' Student

Wrote many Wrote many paradoxes to prove paradoxes to prove Paramenides' premise Paramenides' premise that change is an that change is an illusion illusion

Zeno of EleaZeno of EleaParadox of MotionParadox of MotionBefore the runner can pass the finish line he must pass Before the runner can pass the finish line he must pass the half-way point. the half-way point.

Before he can pass the half-way point, he must pass half Before he can pass the half-way point, he must pass half the distance between the starting point and half-way the distance between the starting point and half-way point. point.

Since you can infinitely divide space the runner can Since you can infinitely divide space the runner can

never leave the starting point.never leave the starting point. Therefore, motion is Therefore, motion is impossibleimpossible

Sta

rt

Fin

ish

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1/21/2

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Achilles and Achilles and the Tortoisethe Tortoise

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In order to reach the point where the Tortoise started Achilles must first pass the half-way point.


By the time Achilles reaches the point where the tortoise was the tortoise will have moved on from that point.

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When the Tortoise moves that will create a new half-way point that Achilles must also cross.



1/2

Each time Achilles reaches the point where the tortoise was he will have a new half-way point to cross.



1/2

Since the Tortoise is constantly moving his movement will produce an infinite number to half-way points that Achilles must cross before passing the Tortoise.

Therefore, Achilles will never pass the Tortoise.

Zeno of EleaZeno of EleaArrow ParadoxArrow ParadoxAt any point in time an arrow can only occupy one At any point in time an arrow can only occupy one position and is therefore motionless. position and is therefore motionless.

At every point in time the arrow is motionless. At every point in time the arrow is motionless.

If the arrow is motionless at every point in time then it If the arrow is motionless at every point in time then it does not move. Movement is an illusion. does not move. Movement is an illusion.

Zeno of EleaZeno of EleaZeno's ParadoxesZeno's Paradoxes

Show that a good Show that a good and logical and logical argument can lead argument can lead to a false to a false conclusion.conclusion.

Therefore, Logic Therefore, Logic seems to be flawed seems to be flawed

DemocritusDemocritus

QuestionsQuestions

What is the basic unit What is the basic unit of matter? of matter?

What is the soul? What is the soul?

Does everything have Does everything have a cause? a cause?


AtomsAtoms

The cosmos is made The cosmos is made up of up of AtomsAtoms and and VoidVoid

AtomsAtoms = Indivisible = Indivisible particles of matterparticles of matter

VoidVoid = The space = The space between atomsbetween atoms

AtomsAtoms

VoidVoid


Problem of the VoidProblem of the Void

A VOID is the absence A VOID is the absence of something. of something.

Therefore, a VOID is Therefore, a VOID is nothing. nothing.

If a void is nothing If a void is nothing then how can it be then how can it be real? How can a void real? How can a void exist if it is nothing?exist if it is nothing?

AtomsAtoms

VoidVoid


The SoulThe Soul

The soul is a material The soul is a material aspect of the bodyaspect of the body

Therefore, it cannot be Therefore, it cannot be separated from the separated from the body. body.


KnowledgeKnowledge

The knowledge of The knowledge of truth is difficult.truth is difficult.

Perception through Perception through the senses is the senses is subjective. subjective.

We can only interpret We can only interpret the sense data the sense data through the intellect through the intellect and grasp the truth.and grasp the truth.

Philosophy Lecture 02

Education

Transcript of Philosophy Lecture 02