Philosophy and its Traditional

Divisions
BITS Pilani
Pilani Campus

Dr. Anupam Yadav

Defining Features of
Philosophy
It is an inquiry into the fundamental laws and principles
of anything or everything. That is, we are interested in
knowing the essential nature of things. For e.g.
When we examine what art is. The question is not
about knowing various divisions of art, their differences
but to define what art is.
An intellectual inquiry beyond the multiplicities,
diversities, differences into the essences or universals
is a philosophical inquiry.
That is, knowing the Truth or Reality.

BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Defining Features of Philosophy

Philosophy is a critical and reflective inquiry. It does
not confine to the ordinary, pre-reflective,
commonsensical beliefs and understanding of things.
For example, we all know what reality is in some
sense with respect to its physical character.
A Philosopher goes beyond:
Is it only a matter in continuous motion?
Or reality is also a mental process?
Is it blind or purposive?
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Defining Features
Normative Character
In searching for the definitions or what is the case, it
moves into the normative question as to what should
be the case.
In defining man as a rational being Philosophy is also
suggestive of how humans ought to be.
In defining what education is we are also interested in
seeing this ideal definition in our educational
institutions.

BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Traditional Divisions
Metaphysics
Appearance/Reality (Beyond the world of visible
and perceptible there is a world of Ideas or
Forms which give reality to the changeable
things)
Structure of Reality
Matter, Space, Time
Substance (Monism, Dualism, Pluralism)
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Epistemology
Theories of Knowledge about the origin and
process of knowledge.
What are the criteria and limits of Knowledge.
Sources of Knowledge
Which are reliable? Senses or Reason?
Faulty Knowledge and theories of Error
Logic
Science of correct reasoning and is the basis of all
inquiries.
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Ethics
The question of the good and bad, right and wrong
actions.
Its not about the prescriptions but knowing about
what good is:
Deontological Theory
Utilitarian Theories
Virtue Ethics
Moral Dilemma
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Philosophy or Religion
The question about the belief in the existence in God and
Proofs
Ontological Proof
Causal Proof
Teleological Proof
Pantheism: Nature is God
Absolute Indefinable Highest Being

BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Aesthetics
Philosophy of art
Appreciation of art experience or beauty in natural and
artistic creations.
Does it have a validity of its own?

BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

THANK YOU
BITS Pilani
Pilani Campus