Generally speaking, philosophy the critical examination of the
grounds for fundamental beliefs and an analysis of the basic concepts
employed in the expression of such beliefs. Philosophical inquiry is a
central element in the intellectual history of many historical
civilizations. The word is from the Greek (by way of Latin, philosophia)
and means "love of wisdom" (Martinich & Stroll 2004:17). This paper
provides a brief definition and description of three approaches to
philosophical investigation: metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology
(including its two branches, aesthetics and ethics).
Metaphysics. This branch of philosophy deals with the ultimate
nature of human existence, largely as an extension of the Metaphysics of
Aristotle. This collection of treatises placed after the Physics [Gr.
metaphysics =after physics ] treated what Aristotle termed the First
Philosophy. The primary focus of metaphysical speculation is termed
"ontology," which is the study of the ultimate nature of being; however,
philosophical theology and cosmology are typically considered branches of
metaphysics as well (Metaphysics 2000). This branch of philosophy leaves
nothing unquestioned and proceeds entirely without assumptions; according
to Walsh (1963), "The only propositions with which a metaphysician could
properly be content were propositions whose truth could not be denied, or
whose truth was seen to be involved in their own attempted denial" (11).
Epistemology. This field of philosophy is defined as the study of
the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge. The term comes from the
Greek episteme ("knowledge") and logos ("reason"), and accordingly the
field is sometimes called the theory of knowledge (Martinich & Stroll
Axiology. This branch of philosophy is concerned with "values" and
"what is good" (Morris 1961:219). "If axiological issues underlie ethical
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