What is Philosophy?

Not see philosophy as itself, see it as how it interconnects with other social sciences
Philosophy = love + wisdom.
- The roots of "philosophy" lie in the Greek words philos (love) and sophia (wisdom). Think ancient Greek thinkers seeking to understand the universe and human existence through reasoned inquiry. The concept's origins are deeply embedded in Greek philosophy's history.
Philosophy is categorized as a second order discipline. ( we think about how we think )
Bread and butter of philosophy is argument, how do you come to an conclusion through an argument

Why study philosophy?

It is one of the oldest discipline.
Reason and Argue and Disagree.
Examples
- dunning-kruger is an example
- Socrates Quotes etc.
  - "The unecamined life is not worth living"

Normative vs Descriptive
- Normative philosophy explores how things ought to be, descriptive examines how things are. Think ideals vs. realities.
Thought Experiments are philosophical questions ( einstein is really good at this shit)

What is right reasoning?
Example: Analyzing arguments like "All humans are mortal; Socrates is human; therefore, Socrates is mortal" to identify valid reasoning patterns and fallacies.
Logic provides tools to distinguish sound arguments from flawed ones, much like mathematics for reasoning.

How is knowledge possible?
Example: Questioning how we know the external world exists beyond our perceptions - can we trust our senses or is knowledge justified through reasoning?
Explores the difference between believing something and truly knowing it.

What exists?
What is the relation between mind and world?
Example: Debating whether numbers exist independently or are human constructs, or whether consciousness can be reduced to brain activity.
Investigates fundamental questions about reality beyond what science can empirically test.

What is right or wrong? Good or Bad?
Example: Considering whether it's ethical to lie to protect someone's feelings, or examining if an action's morality depends on its consequences or inherent nature.
Provides frameworks for making moral decisions beyond cultural customs.

What is value?
Example: Questioning whether economic value reflects intrinsic worth, or if some things (like human dignity) have value regardless of utility.
Examines how we determine what matters and why.

What is beauty?
Example: Analyzing why we find certain music beautiful while others don't, or whether beauty is objective or purely subjective.
Explores artistic expression and our responses to it beyond personal preference.

Where x = law, economics, history, society, technology, politics, sport, etc.
Examples: Questioning whether AI can have rights (philosophy of technology), examining what makes laws just (philosophy of law), or analyzing if markets should be completely free (philosophy of economics).
Applies philosophical thinking to specific domains of human activity.