An Introduction to Philosophy

Abstract

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.

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 intellectualy and to develop a better understanding of the matter or to solve the problem. If I succeed the reader should expect to be challenged.