LECTURE 1:
Introduction to Philosophy:
The course:
What makes us human?
First Quarter: groundwork
1. What is philosophy?
2. What is African philosophy?
3. How we do philosophy?
4. What do we know?
Second Quarter: substace
1. Personhood
2. Language
3. Politics
4. Race and gender
If there is time…
1. What is the meaning of life?
Course Admin:
- Read the course outline.
- Don’t ask questions that you should already know the answer to
Topics for essays and details of assignments will be released in due time.
What is Philosophy?
- Inquiry, thinking about what we think, study of life an meaning, search
for truth. (students)
Greek word: philos- love; Sophia-love
- The love of wisdom
- Not a good definition because it doesn’t explain anything to do with
what philosophy actually is. Eg example of football. What does loving
wisdom mean? Too simple of a definition.
- We need to find out what the love of wisdom actually means.
What does it mean to love wisdom?
- Graham priest- what is philosophy
, - Explores Wittgenstein and Derrida
LECTURE 2:
Intro to Philosophy:
Wittgenstein:
- Key idea: meaning is given through ‘language games’
- Think of chess pieces, nothing about chess pieces makes it what it is-
simply because of rules of game. Queen only makes sense in the context
of the game.
- This is how language works according to W.
- Eg. Is matt cool?
a. He is popular, stylish
b. He is slightly cold
- If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck. Then it is a duck.
- There is no deeper meaning, language is simply how it is used in
language game.
- Language game: refers to context of dialogue
- There is no deeper meaning, just refer back to context.
What does this mean for Philosophy?
- P problems occur because philosophers take words out of context
- Implication 1: There are not substantial philosophical problems.
- P problems can only be solved by putting words back in their context.
- Implication 2: There are no substantial theories
- Implication 3: When done correctly, philosophy only says what everyone
already admits.
Critique of Wittgenstein:
- Implication 1: what about ethics? We want to know more than how
‘right’ and ‘wrong’ are used. Its not just problems of misunderstanding
language.
- Even if this is the only exceptions, it still disproves implication 1.
- His view is self-defeating- if view contradicts itself, it cant be trtue
- Implication 2 and 3: they contradict themselves. These implications are
substantial, they are not things that everyone would agree with.
- The way he does P, contradicts his conclusions.
What does Wittgenstein say about P?
- Solve arguments by remembering correct context
How has he done P?
, - Made arguments, levelled critiques
LECTURE 3:
Derrida: Language and Philosophy
- French, very influential
- Key Idea: word have no determinate (fixed/correct) meaning
a. “I’m dead”- I am deceased, I am in trouble, I am laughing- all are
acceptable meanings, depending on context.
b. “I’ve just seen the cricket”- seen game or seen insect? Both meanings
are correct. Give context by explaining through more words Eg. “I’ve
just seen men in white playing in a certain game”
- Words all the way down: don’t get to a point, just keep using word to
describe words.
- No rules to the “game” as Wittgenstein says but instead, just
interpretation- neither correct or incorrect- all are valid.
- Its not that they have no meaning at all, but rather have no fixed
meaning
- “Difference” – a network of deferrals, referrals and contrasts.
a. Eg cricket- contrast with rugby, football, tennis, etc
b. Flex (modern meaning-show off)- refers to flexing muscles- which is
escencially showing off.
- Words refer back to other words, have no fixed meanings.
- Meanings of words can change over time. We have a string of meanings.
There is nothing special about the ‘root’ word, that’s just how we
decided to use it. There is no fundamental truth
- Every sort of language requires interpretation, language is constantly
changing.
Takeaways from Derrida
1. Words have no fixed meaning
2. Whenever we ty to explain what words mean, we just give more words
3. Words have an indeterminate meaning generated by “differance”
So what does this mean for philosophy?
- We might think we are looking for truth, we might think we are giving
deep answers to deep questions
But according to Derrida:
- Without determinate meaning, there can be no determinate truth
- All we can do is respond to words with more words
Philosophy is just a writing style:
, - It doesn’t have a special form or subject matter
- It does follow a certain tradition
a. Romantic movement
1. Follows the tradition of shelly, Byron
b. Philosophy:
1. Follows the tradition of Plato, Descartes, etc.
Value of Philosophy:
- Science people doubt whether philosophy is anything more than useless
controversies on matters on which knowledge is impossible
- If philosophy has any use for anyone other than its students, it must be
indirectly thought the effects it has on the lives of people who study it.
- If we are to truly recognise the value of philosophy, we must free
ourselves of the idea that you don’t need to feed your mind.
- Philosophy aims at knowledge- the info that gives unity and system to a
body
- Philosophy doesn’t really show results- as soon as knowledge comes out
about some topic, it’s no longer philosophy but instead goes towards
another science
- Can’t give us definite answers, but instead gives us examples of what it
could be.
- Philosophy gives freedom
- Philosophy must be studied not for the answers, because there often
aren’t definite answers but instead for the sake of raising the questions.
Study questions:
1. Yes, psychological wellbeing closely linked to physical wellbeing. By
enriching the min, we promote an all-rounded health
2. Practical men: people who believe that all you need to survive is the
needs that physically nourish your body, not emotionally or mentally
3. He believes that it is in the uncertainty that we start to ask questions
that lead to the enrichment of our minds.
4. The contemplation of the universe
LECTURE 4:
Recap:
- Key takeaway: everything is just text- when we try to explain, we just get
more words. No words have determinate meaning
Introduction to Philosophy:
The course:
What makes us human?
First Quarter: groundwork
1. What is philosophy?
2. What is African philosophy?
3. How we do philosophy?
4. What do we know?
Second Quarter: substace
1. Personhood
2. Language
3. Politics
4. Race and gender
If there is time…
1. What is the meaning of life?
Course Admin:
- Read the course outline.
- Don’t ask questions that you should already know the answer to
Topics for essays and details of assignments will be released in due time.
What is Philosophy?
- Inquiry, thinking about what we think, study of life an meaning, search
for truth. (students)
Greek word: philos- love; Sophia-love
- The love of wisdom
- Not a good definition because it doesn’t explain anything to do with
what philosophy actually is. Eg example of football. What does loving
wisdom mean? Too simple of a definition.
- We need to find out what the love of wisdom actually means.
What does it mean to love wisdom?
- Graham priest- what is philosophy
, - Explores Wittgenstein and Derrida
LECTURE 2:
Intro to Philosophy:
Wittgenstein:
- Key idea: meaning is given through ‘language games’
- Think of chess pieces, nothing about chess pieces makes it what it is-
simply because of rules of game. Queen only makes sense in the context
of the game.
- This is how language works according to W.
- Eg. Is matt cool?
a. He is popular, stylish
b. He is slightly cold
- If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck. Then it is a duck.
- There is no deeper meaning, language is simply how it is used in
language game.
- Language game: refers to context of dialogue
- There is no deeper meaning, just refer back to context.
What does this mean for Philosophy?
- P problems occur because philosophers take words out of context
- Implication 1: There are not substantial philosophical problems.
- P problems can only be solved by putting words back in their context.
- Implication 2: There are no substantial theories
- Implication 3: When done correctly, philosophy only says what everyone
already admits.
Critique of Wittgenstein:
- Implication 1: what about ethics? We want to know more than how
‘right’ and ‘wrong’ are used. Its not just problems of misunderstanding
language.
- Even if this is the only exceptions, it still disproves implication 1.
- His view is self-defeating- if view contradicts itself, it cant be trtue
- Implication 2 and 3: they contradict themselves. These implications are
substantial, they are not things that everyone would agree with.
- The way he does P, contradicts his conclusions.
What does Wittgenstein say about P?
- Solve arguments by remembering correct context
How has he done P?
, - Made arguments, levelled critiques
LECTURE 3:
Derrida: Language and Philosophy
- French, very influential
- Key Idea: word have no determinate (fixed/correct) meaning
a. “I’m dead”- I am deceased, I am in trouble, I am laughing- all are
acceptable meanings, depending on context.
b. “I’ve just seen the cricket”- seen game or seen insect? Both meanings
are correct. Give context by explaining through more words Eg. “I’ve
just seen men in white playing in a certain game”
- Words all the way down: don’t get to a point, just keep using word to
describe words.
- No rules to the “game” as Wittgenstein says but instead, just
interpretation- neither correct or incorrect- all are valid.
- Its not that they have no meaning at all, but rather have no fixed
meaning
- “Difference” – a network of deferrals, referrals and contrasts.
a. Eg cricket- contrast with rugby, football, tennis, etc
b. Flex (modern meaning-show off)- refers to flexing muscles- which is
escencially showing off.
- Words refer back to other words, have no fixed meanings.
- Meanings of words can change over time. We have a string of meanings.
There is nothing special about the ‘root’ word, that’s just how we
decided to use it. There is no fundamental truth
- Every sort of language requires interpretation, language is constantly
changing.
Takeaways from Derrida
1. Words have no fixed meaning
2. Whenever we ty to explain what words mean, we just give more words
3. Words have an indeterminate meaning generated by “differance”
So what does this mean for philosophy?
- We might think we are looking for truth, we might think we are giving
deep answers to deep questions
But according to Derrida:
- Without determinate meaning, there can be no determinate truth
- All we can do is respond to words with more words
Philosophy is just a writing style:
, - It doesn’t have a special form or subject matter
- It does follow a certain tradition
a. Romantic movement
1. Follows the tradition of shelly, Byron
b. Philosophy:
1. Follows the tradition of Plato, Descartes, etc.
Value of Philosophy:
- Science people doubt whether philosophy is anything more than useless
controversies on matters on which knowledge is impossible
- If philosophy has any use for anyone other than its students, it must be
indirectly thought the effects it has on the lives of people who study it.
- If we are to truly recognise the value of philosophy, we must free
ourselves of the idea that you don’t need to feed your mind.
- Philosophy aims at knowledge- the info that gives unity and system to a
body
- Philosophy doesn’t really show results- as soon as knowledge comes out
about some topic, it’s no longer philosophy but instead goes towards
another science
- Can’t give us definite answers, but instead gives us examples of what it
could be.
- Philosophy gives freedom
- Philosophy must be studied not for the answers, because there often
aren’t definite answers but instead for the sake of raising the questions.
Study questions:
1. Yes, psychological wellbeing closely linked to physical wellbeing. By
enriching the min, we promote an all-rounded health
2. Practical men: people who believe that all you need to survive is the
needs that physically nourish your body, not emotionally or mentally
3. He believes that it is in the uncertainty that we start to ask questions
that lead to the enrichment of our minds.
4. The contemplation of the universe
LECTURE 4:
Recap:
- Key takeaway: everything is just text- when we try to explain, we just get
more words. No words have determinate meaning
