L5-L6 | HOLISM AND METHODS

• HOLISM

  •  Greek word "holos" which literally means all, entire, totality. 
  • maintains the interdependence of factors to another agencies of causalities. 
• HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE 

  • kind of system that aims to determine and explain the whole or totality of a given system by examining the behaviors and activities of certain component parts 
• POINT OF VIEW 

  • way or a method how one sees or perceives the reality or a phenomenon.
• PARTIAL POINT OF VIEW

  • looks at reality based on a single or partial component of a system 
  • suggest that we only understand one component part of the whole
  • looks at only a limited number of aspects of the given problem
  • conclusions are made based on considering some, but not all, sides of the problem.
• HOLISTIC POINT OF VIEW

  • tries to broaden the understanding of reality by taking considerations of other possible causal agents or factors be it biological, theological or any other factors that may contribute to  understanding a certain phenomenon. 
  • suggests that we can only understand the parts when we view them in relation to the whole
  • looks at all aspects of the given situation 
  • all aspects are given importance when making conclusions and are tied in together to form a general overview of the problem 
• METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING

  1. systematic / methodic / cartesian doubt
  2. philosophical argument
  3. dialectic
  4. socratic method
  5. axioms
  6. occam's razor
  7. formal logic
  8. thought experiment
• SYSTEMATIC / METHODIC / CARTESIAN DOUBT 

  • way of searching for certainty by systematically though tentatively doubting everything. 
  • employed to help determine the truth. 
  • every statement, claim, evidence, and experience is scrutinized and analyzed.
  • encourages individuals to reevaluate their beliefs and appreciate the relativity of knowledge. 
  • enhances critical thinking and helps people develop a more in-depth understanding of the subjects they learn.
• PHILOSOPHICAL ARGUMENT 

  • Philosophers engage in discussion and debate on their ideas.
  • Various perspectives on a topic are taken into consideration and examined
  • not a disagreement, dispute, quarrel, an opinion.
  • is composed of one or more statement set out in support of some other statement
• EPICURUS ARGUMENT FROM EVIL

  "Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?

  Then he is not omnipotent.

  Is he able, but not willing?

  Then he is malevolent.

  Is he both able and willing?

  Then whence cometh evil?

  Is he neither able nor willing?

  Then why call him God?"

  • For all it's brevity, it presents one of the most challenging deductive puzzles for theistic philosophers. 
  • An entire field of theology called theodicy has arisen almost solely based on those eight simple sentences
• DIALECTIC

  • method of reasoning and analysis that involves examining and reconciling opposing or contradictory ideas or perspectives.
  • GOAL: try to resolve the disagreement through rational talk, and the search for the truth in the matter.
• THESIS 

  • intellectual proposition 

  ANTITHESIS 

  • negation of the thesis, a reaction to the proposition.

  SYNTHESIS

  • solves the conflict between the thesis and antithesis by reconciling their common truths and forming a new proposition.
• SOCRATIC METHOD

  • dialogue between teacher and students, instigated by the continual probing questions of the teacher, in a concerted effort to explore the underlying beliefs that shape the students views and opinion
  • method of analyzing a topic by formulating a series of questions designed to analyze its various aspects and examine and clarify a person’s view on it.
• AXIOMS

  • statement that is so evident or well-established, that it is accepted without controversy or question. 
  • MODERN LOGIC: premise or starting point for reasoning.
  • statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true. 
  • statement that everyone believes is true.
• MURPHY’S LAW

  • Whatever can go wrong will go wrong.
  • a + b = b + a
  • for any two numbers a and b.
  • The whole is greater than the part.
• OCCAM’S RAZOR

  • problem-solving device used in analyzing possible explanations regarding a phenomenon. 
  • states that among possible explanations, the one which has the least assumption is the most acceptable.
  • philosophical tool for 'shaving off' unlikely explanations.
  • the simplest is likely the correct one.
• FORMAL LOGIC

  • correct reasoning
  • systematic analysis of the validity of arguments and statements.
  • a person looks to ensure the premises made about a topic logically connects to the conclusion.
• LOGIC

  • entails the use of syllogism or logical arguments presented as a series of related statements.
• THOUGHT EXPERIMENT 

  • imagined scenarios used to illustrate a certain problem or describe theory.
  • Widely used in many disciplines
  • allow for complex situations to be explored, questions to be raised, and complex ideas to be placed in an understandable context.