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Some basic components of our model of “philosophy,” derived from the Euthyphro

Some basic components of our model of “philosophy,” derived from the Euthyphro.

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Some basic components of our model of “philosophy,” derived from the Euthyphro

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  1. Some basic components of our model of “philosophy,” derived from the Euthyphro • The (simplistic) model developed in class is designed to contrast the mainstream Western tradition with the presentation of most Chinese approaches in this course. It entails 5 “axioms” that grow out of the Greek commitment to philosophy as a quest for knowledge based on Reason. What is “Reason?” For us: Discursive thinking guided by rules (logic); The rules of Reason parallel (in some way) reality; Reason is a ground for valid knowledge.

  2. Axiom I The test of rationality is proof (like math: QED) The model of “certain knowledge” is built on the certainties of arithmetic and geometry THE RULES OF THINKING (logic) PARALLEL REALITY

  3. Axiom II There is significance outside the world of entities: that is philosophical significance The world of particulars is significant, but only philsophically significant as it provides access to universal truths ultimately, Truth is found at the level of METAPHYSICS THERE EXIST in some sense UNIVERSALS

  4. Axiom III WHAT IS “REAL” ABOUT A THING ARE PROPERTIES OF THE THING ITSELF The real attributes of a thing inhere in it – the way it relates to other things is not a fundamental property of the thing itself. • Aristotle: “Relatedness is, as it were, an offshoot or logical accident of substance.”

  5. Axiom IV • Reason is, essentially, discursive (or fully expressible in words) • Philosophy clarifies language, shaping Reason’s essential tool LANGUAGE IS A PRIMARY TRUTH TOOL

  6. Axiom V From set of universals, a structural picture of the universe can arise The rational nature of universe revealed (assumed: Nature is rational) Goal: Architecture of theory paralleling architecture of Reality Ideal model of philosophy: Euclidean geometry: AXIOMS, COROLLARIES, THEORIES “TRUTH” = THE SET OF REAL UNIVERSALS

  7. Philosophy is discovery • Truth exists independently; disclosed through language • Language (spoken/subverbalized) an adequate “truth tool” [logical reasoning is an intrinsically discursive] “Knowledge” a function of real structures • People are, in a sense, incidental to philosophy • Philosophy is a-historical Truth does not change or evolve: eternal

  8. CONTRASTS Philosophical enterprise in West (vastly oversimplified!): Agenda • analysis of terms through dialectic • search for universals by analysis of particulars • structuring of rules by which universals relate (logic) • building a theoretical architecture to parallel Reality Based on picture of universe as rational structure governed by causal laws (which are reflected in logic)

  9. Early Chinese philosophy Some similarities, but ideas guiding essential enterprise different different undertaking/project starting with Confucianism

  10. Confucianism 1. ALLOWS AUTHORITY OF HISTORY (particulars of history embody one type of universal, but not general laws: truths about this one, historical universe) 2. DENIES ADEQUACY OF LANGUAGE (knowledge primarily derived fromPracticenot Reason) 3. VIEWS RELATEDNESS AS ESSENTIAL (reflected in portrait of the person) 4. PHILOSOPHY “EMBODIED” IN PHILOSOPHERS (“knowledge” not primarily knowledge of facts but of skills: not objective reality, but “possessed” truth)

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