Philosophy is a human endeavor that has changed the course
of history. We are all what we are, in part, because of the ideas of
philosophers. There are not too many people who believe this. There
are not that many people who think very much of Philosophy at all. Yet
Philosophy has and does impact the lives of just about every thinking
person on the planet. In fact, the very way in which we think is
partly the result of the ideas which philosophers have produced over the
ages and in all cultures. Just how is this the case? This is
something that is not immediately obvious in contemporary culture.
Today Philosophy, if it is thought about at all, probably is thought to be
some obscure and complicated subject for intellectuals that has no bearing
on the important matters of everyday life. Yet this is not the case
at all. In fact there are many things that people think are true and
believe that are not true at all. In fact there are many things that
appear to us to be so clearly understood that are, in fact and reality,
not the way they actually appear to us to be.
Philosophy is a manner of thinking about the most basic
questions and problems faced by human beings. Most people believe
they have nothing to do with Philosophy and it has nothing to do with
them. However, there are times that such basic and important questions and problems
will occur and be experienced by most human beings. It is at these
times that Philosophy has arisen all over the world and within every
culture.
People will experience the death of others and they will wonder whether
or not there is anything more to our existence than life in the physical
body. Questions will arise as to whether or not there are actually
souls or spirits. Do they survive the death of the body? Are
they real? These questions get into Metaphysics, a branch of
Philosophy! Are stories about ghosts and spirits of the dead
true? What is truth anyway? These questions get into
Epistemology, a branch of Philosophy! Is there a god, many
gods? What is God like? What is religion all about? Are
the stories true? These questions get into Philosophy of
Religion! Are we free to make decisions for ourselves or our we the
product of our genes and environment interactions? This matter of
human freedom is also rich material for Philosophy! Why do we need
to pay taxes? Why can't everyone just work for themselves? Why
do I need to pay so much in taxes? These are questions that are very
much what Social Philosophy focuses upon. Why do we need to obey
government? Why should we obey what we think are unjust laws?
These are matters for Political Philosophy. Many people believe that
each person is entitled to decide what to believe is the morally right thing to do. How do we know who is right
and who is wrong? What then are we to do when there are
conflicting views about what is the GOOD thing to do? This is
material for Ethics, a branch of Philosophy!
So, there are many questions that arise in the lives of
"ordinary" people that are actually questions that are at the center of
Philosophy. The materials in this text will attempt to introduce the
reader to what Philosophy is, what the issues have been and continue to
be, and how those perennial questions are as alive today as ever and have
a relevance for the lives of every thinking human being. At the same
time it is hoped that the manner in which this is approached will be
engaging, interesting, a bit entertaining and rewarding!
In this text it is my task to challenge the
reader, to invite and to encourage the reader to think and to think
critically concerning these basic and important questions and
problems. I shall often present material and questions which
challenge the accepted view, the predominant view, the popular view, and
the view which most people acquire through their culture and assume to be
not only true but the only view. The aim is to broaden and expand
awareness. The aim is to develop reasoning skills and critical
thinking abilities. It shall be my aim to get the reader to think
about new things. This is education. I shall also attempt to provoke
the reader to think about things in a new manner. This is also
education but it may not be what some expect or want. It involves
growth. Sometimes people resist thinking about familiar subjects in
new ways. Sometimes people resist changing their minds for they fear
leaving the comfort of familiar ideas for the uncertainty and disturbance
of the new and different. However, sometimes it is necessary to
endure some discomfort and even some anxiety in order grow intellectually
and to develop a
better understanding of the matter or to solve the problem. If I
succeed, the reader should expect to be challenged.