PHL243H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Pansexuality, Rationality, Sexual Ethics
Document Summary
Characterizing philosophy: how like and unlike religion: Like : its aim is to understand things in general, & the place of humans in the universe. Unlike : although there are similar questions, they are approached in different ways. Religion, generally have sacred texts that govern everything. We study philosopher"s much like scientists study other scientist"s work: philosophy deals in arguments not texts, no text is sacred, how like and unlike science: Like : philosophy is interested in arguments and always open to refutation. It"s central attitude is skeptical (meaning: to examine) Skep = skop = scop = to examine. It criticises everything it looks at to get a better chance of arriving at something. Unlike : philosophy has no fixed, definitive methods for solving its problems. It"s always trying to find some, but as soon as it succeeds, it becomes science: how like and unlike literature.
