It is a branch of philosophy that deals with the study of reasoning and critical thinking

1. The four main divisions of philosophy are metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, and _____.

   Inhaltsverzeichnis Show

   • Which branch of philosophy that deals with critical thinking and reasoning?
   • What is the branch of critical thinking?
   • What is a branch of philosophy?
   • What are the 3 branches of philosophy?
   a. bioethics
   b. logic
   c. aesthetics
   d. categorical logic
   

2. For Socrates, an unexamined life is a tragedy because it results in grievous harm to _____.

   a. the state
   b. the justice system
   c. the body
   d. the soul
   

3. For Socrates, the soul is harmed by lack of _____.

   a. knowledge
   b. wealth
   c. community
   d. courage
   

4. A question-and-answer dialogue in which propositions are methodically scrutinized to uncover the truth is known as _____.

   a. an argument
   b. the Socratic method
   c. the Socratic jest
   d. a debate
   

5. If you assume that a set of statements is true, and yet you can deduce a false or absurd statement from it, then the original set of statements as a whole must be false. This kind of argument is known as _____.

   a. modus tollens
   b. modus ponens
   c. hypothetical syllogism
   d. reductio ad absurdum *
   

6. The systematic use of critical reasoning to try to find answers to fundamental questions about reality, morality, and knowledge is called _____.

   a. the argumentative method
   b. the philosophical method
   c. propositional logic
   d. syllogistic reasoning
   

7. The famous statement “An unexamined life is not worth living” is attributed to _____.

   a. Aristotle
   b. John Locke
   c. Socrates
   d. Plato
   

8. The study of reality in the broadest sense, an inquiry into the elemental nature of the universe and the things in it, is known as _____.

   a. metaphysics
   b. epistemology
   c. quantum physics
   d. axiology
   

9. Questions like “What is knowledge?” and “What is truth?” are mainstays in the branch of philosophy known as _____.

   a. logic
   b. metaphysics
   c. epistemology
   d. aesthetics
   

10. According to Socrates, a clear sign that a person has _____ is her exclusive pursuit of social status, wealth, power, and pleasure.

    a. philosophical ambition
    b. worldly wisdom
    c. exceptional desires
    d. an unhealthy soul
    

There are five main branches in philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, and aesthetics. Each branch contains a specific focus and area of study. When one remembers that philosophy is a form of science, this method of organization suddenly becomes crystal clear.

Metaphysics, as the name suggests, is the study of reality. Literally, the term metaphysics means ‘beyond the physical.’ Typically, this is the branch that most people think of when they picture philosophy. In metaphysics, the goal is to answer the what and how questions in life. In other words, metaphysics forms a foundation for which we can understand everything else.

Epistemology is the study and understanding of knowledge. Here, philosophers address questions such as the limitations of logic, how comprehension works, and the ability (or perception) to be certain. In short, the question of epistemology is ‘how do we know?’

As one might imagine, ethics is the study of morality, right and wrong, good and evil. Ethics tackles difficult conversations, adding weight to actions and decisions. This is the branch that birthed the famous Trolley Dilemma.

Politics takes ethics to a larger scale, applying it to a group (or groups) of people. Political philosophers study political governments, laws, justice, authority, rights, liberty, ethics, and much more.

Aesthetics is the study of art – and beauty. Here, philosophers try to understand, qualify, and quantify what makes art what it is. Aesthetics also takes a deeper look at the artwork itself, trying to understand the meaning behind it, both art as a whole and art on an individual level. A question an aesthetics philosopher would seek to understand is whether or not beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

Along with the five branches discussed above, there are two other categories worth considering, axiology and logic philosophy. Not all philosophers believe these subjects to be their own branch.

Axiology is the study of value and valuation. In contrast, logic is the study of reasoning. Much like metaphysics, understanding logic helps philosophers (and everyone else) understand and appreciate how we perceive the rest of our world. More than that, it provides a foundation for which to build and interpret arguments and analysis. 

Which branch of philosophy that deals with critical thinking and reasoning?

What is the branch of critical thinking?

What is a branch of philosophy?

What are the 3 branches of philosophy?