PHIL 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Logical Possibility

• School: University of Illinois
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHIL 100
• Professor: Weinberg, S

Document Summary

One prejudice we have to get rid of to see the value of philosophy - the only things with value are material things. People who are concerned with the practical goods of life - food, health, better technology, etc. Assuming all material needs are met, russell argues that there are things we would be better off knowing. Goods of the mind - increased knowledge, challenges known facts, etc. Union of self, non-self - realization of the uncertainty of many things. People don"t think that philosophy results in knowledge because philosophy doesn"t seem to lead to definite answers. Historically, as soon as philosophy discovers something, that subject ceases to be called philosophy and is made a separate science. Philosophy frees us from the tyranny of habit and custom so that we can appreciate what is new or different. It liberates us to travel intellectually and keeps alive our sense of wonder.