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a_beginners_guide_to_philosophy_0.docxRunning Head: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PHILOSOPHY 1
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PHILOSOPHY 3
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PHILOSOPHY
Beware of Gurus
An Indian Guru was a considered as a very wise man who had acquired his wisdom through experience and most of the time, he was an old man and very respected in the community. There are historical links between ancient Greece and India to the time of Alexander the Great. This shows that philosophy has its origin from India and Greece.
Philosophy with capital P
There was a philosophical reason behind the building of some of the greatest structures in the history. For example, the St. Peter’s in Rome and the Pyramids of Egypt that have a monolithic philosophical approach. Tourists come from all walks of life to come visit new places and when they do, the need tour guides. The same way, philosophy needs guidance in order to understand and the works of Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant and Nietzsche contains texts that guide philosophical approaches.
Trying it out
Beauty lies on the eyes of the beholder. One man’s meat is another man’s poison. What we love does not necessarily mean that everybody loves it. Andy Warhol’s portrait of Marilyn Monroe brought a lot of discussion. Some argued that, the picture wasn’t perfect because Monroe’s beauty could be painted and others argued that she wasn’t that beautiful.
Socrates and Hippias intervene
Socrates meets Hippias on his way from Elis near Olympia. Socrates and Hippias are people of distinct characters in that, Hippias sees himself as somebody very important and believes in unsurpassed brilliance. Today, Hippias can be compared to this great lawyer who is so excellent in the courtroom and wins the cases he represents. On the other hand, Socrates is a pretender who pretends to be confused. These two continue the discussion of beauty that was started in the previous chapter. Hippias realizes that the question concerning beauty is not as easy as he thought after being scrutinized by Socrates (Dominique, 2015).
Difficult or simple
The question that this chapter attempts to answer is whether, Plato was a difficult philosopher. From the text seems like Plato is a difficult philosopher as the author struggled to understand some of his works when he was in the adolescent stage. The author explains that he was amazed with the theory of ideas though he did not understand the text. Difficult or simple has a conclusion derived from the discussion of Hippias and Socrates; all that is beautiful is difficult.
The gallery of great minds I
This chapter explores some of the greatest philosophers who ever lived, their works and life experiences and how they can be used to guide other individuals inspiring to be philosophers on the road of gaining wisdom and knowledge. Hippias and Socrates are considered as great thinkers; on the other hand, Heraclitus and Parmenides were great philosophers. Socrates was the first to engage a crowd in his thinking and Plato looked at Parmenides as a father which means that all that Plato was came from Parmenides (Dominique, 2015).
The gallery of great minds II
The birth of Descartes led to the growth of modern philosophy. Significant philosophical schools evolved in Greece and the Roman world.
History or analysis
Why
Is chapter introduces the reader to philosophical thinking and the importance of questioning everything, even if no answer is expected. The fundamental attitude of a philosopher is wonder. If you never wonder at anything you will never learn. Metaphysics is considered the crowning achievement of philosophy. It contemplates ultimate questions that deal with the meaning of life, the existence of God, the immorality of the soul and the unity of the world.
What is man?
The chapter tries to answer the question “what is man?” There is no definite answer to this question although metaphysics and religion claim to answer it. The issue of what differentiates us from other animals is important to consider. Only man, as compared to other higher mammals is able to invent and develop an elaborate communication system.
Nothing if not critical
Critical thinking is viewed as an essential element in day to day lives. According to the chapter, a critical mind is a cure to every difficult situation. The critical mind cannot exist without adequate education and training. Socrates was met with massive resistance in ancient Greece because he never stopped asking questions. He was accused of corrupting young minds thereby being condemned to death.
What is freedom of action?
Freedom is based on free will. We make choices to do things not because of a constraint. Motivation plays a role in freedom. Imposing certain constraints upon ourselves allows us to discover new opportunities in life. The decision to think freely and disinterestedly without philosophizing is one of the freest possible acts.
Moral freedom, political freedom
Our actions depend on our will and this implies that these actions are only valuable if they follow promptings of our conscience. Responsibility means that we are able to justify our actions. Moral freedom intones the flexibility to accept or reject certain rules. Political freedom can exist only in a stable state with each individual having rights and duties.
The question of God
The chapter tries to answer the many questions surrounding the existence of God. No one really has an understanding of God. We just have beliefs that cannot be argued. The backbone of philosophy as a whole relies upon the concept of god. The structure is held together because of this belief.
What does happiness have to do with it?
The chapter argues that the aim of a good and just life is the achievement of happiness. The normal functioning of life depends on rest and relaxation. Despite the seriousness of philosophy, some sort of break is needed to achieve the desired wisdom. According to Aristotle, happiness is equivalent to the soul’s equilibrium. At the end of the day being happy is no one’s doing but our own.
Which desires? Consciousness and the unconscious
Often times we desire what we cannot have and this makes desire an inclination that is not satisfied. Sublimation is when we place desire to less tangible needs according to Freud. He further suggests that when we repress some of these drives, our desires will be refined. Our desires are deep in our conscious therefore recognition is hard.
Technology and life
Integrating technology into our lives may have an effect as we are likely to forget the purpose of living. Technology is beneficial too as it is seen as a machine that helps us in our work. Technology reveals a more general problem that should not be underestimated by philosophy. It fails to answer some of the most basic questions like “what is unjust”, “what is right”.
Good, evil and beyond?
According to this chapter, things are simple when one lives an innocent life but when sin comes in, people become burdened with choices and responsibilities. This is perceived differently but the belief that transgressions of the first human beings brought all evil is widely held. Social prohibitions set boundaries between good and bad.
The elevating effects of art
The sense of satisfaction among human beings is not only achieved through simple normal activities like eating and sleeping. Art creates an intrigue in people that can be described as an awakening by some. The production of art transforms material elements. It is the difference between dormancy and excitement.
A portmanteau word
This chapter is about philosophy and what it entails. Philosophy is complicated. It does not have a straight-forward interpretation. Different interpretations, some negative some positive have been conceptualized by different people.
Nietzsche the unclassifiable
Nietzsche, a thinker, who presents himself as opposing norms, does not fit into the classical western tradition. Most of his work is notably art since he was an artistic thinker. The chapter argues that we should not encourage the young people to follow a philosopher who is contradictory and unwise as Nietzsche.
What society, which state?
Philosophy has been trying to confront politics since Plato. To achieve a balance between man and his future, it is important to put society at its best state and provide citizens with their rights. The idea of Utopia, a perfect society, has been philosophy’s greatest temptation. The truth is society is not perfect. Political philosophy should take into account the reality of society.
Too many questions? Knowing everything is next to impossible. Philosophers, no matter how intelligent and smart they are, they are not in a position to know everything. This becomes even more challenging in this ever changing world. Philosophy is a learning process. Arguing, reasoning, questions and critical thinking all sum up to philosophical knowledge.
How to approach the authors
A unique experience is achieved from reading a great text. Inclination to certain authors or genres is personal. While reading a text, one should do it philosophically, by questioning what is on the text. This will give the reader a unique experience.
Why not a science?
Philosophy is a discipline taught in the faculty of arts. There are two methods to determine the place of philosophy. Over the years though, wisdom, the very basis of philosophy, has been lost to excessive moderation and balance. Knowledge has become something abstract only meant for specialists.
Justice and truth
Science holds no answers to everything. The good or bad is not clearly understood which opposes Aristotle’s aim of ethics. The philosophical search for truth is not wholly successful. However it reflects on the notion of truth and conditions that govern judgment.
Which kind of love?
Divine love is pure. Human love has many dimensions but this should not prevent it from being included to contribute in the search for wisdom. It should be treated with patience and sympathy.
A few seeds of wisdom
Wisdom is not possessed. It is something that is sought after. It is considered difficult to achieve though because of the complexity of human conditions. We are driven by different desires, controlled by different notions. Modesty is the only way to achieve wisdom. We are taught to be clear about the world and ourselves in general.
