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“An unexamined life is not one worth living.”

-Plato

What is philosophy?

In its most basic form, Philosophy can be described as “thinking about thinking.” A bit more formal definition is the study of knowledge, which incorporates fundamental questions about values, knowledge, existence, mind, reason, and language. Philosophy embodies questions of how one should live (ethics); what counts as knowledge (epistemology); what exists and what can be said about their nature (metaphysics); what are the correct principles of reasoning (logic); and what qualifies as science and what is its ultimate purpose (philosophy of science). Here, we will primarily be focused on logic and philosophy of science as these two areas of philosophy are pivotal in the critical thinking process.

what is logic?

The etymology of the word “logic” is the Greek word logos, which is translated as “discourse”, “sentence”, “rule”, and “reason”. However, the direct translation of the word isn't how the word “logic” is used today. So, what is logic? Originally it meant “word”, or “what is spoken,” but has come to mean “thought,” or “reason”. In general, it is a subject that is concerned with the most general laws of truth. 

While there is no universal agreement on exactly what subject matter should be included in logic, within the scope of this site, we will cover the classification of arguments along with their associated structural terminology, logical fallacies, and, most importantly, what makes a good argument. 

Our hope is that you will incorporate the logic you learn here into your everyday life. Whether it comes to simple household problem solving, casual conversations with friends, or formulating a political worldview for yourself, logic will assist in the process. In short, the logical skills learned here will enhance your critical thinking ability and, subsequently, improve your life overall as well.

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what is philosophy of science?

Philosophy of science is a branch of philosophy that is concerned with the foundations, methods and implications of science. What qualifies as science? Are scientific theories reliable? What is the purpose of science? These are all primary questions that are central to this branch of philosophy. Within this site, we will primarily be focused on how the scientific process works, why it works, and why it is the best epistemological framework that we have. The primary goal of communicating these aspects of philosophy of science to you is to bolster your trust in the results of science as well as teach you how to think more like a scientist.

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