Outline and assess Plato's defence of philosophy understood as critical thinking

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Ashley Dawes                                0367004                                R. Baron

Outline and assess Plato’s defence of philosophy understood as critical thinking

        Critical thinking has been described as  ‘the capacity people have to question beliefs and presuppositions…with a view to giving reasons for them’. Critical thinking is a procedure for understanding and then evaluating the support for a certain view. It involves rational decision in whether to believe or disbelieve the point, and it also involves accepting or rejecting certain evidence. Your own point of view must be made when you have considered all the points of view and thought about the plus points and negative points of the argument. Bruce Young also says:

 “To question facts “radically” is not to deny or doubt them but to inquire into their significance”.

        Philosophy can be seen as a second-order activity, as it deals with theories, concepts and beliefs, whereas first-order studies only deal with facts. Open discussion is mainly used as this allows everyone to voice his or her own opinions. The Critical Thinking skill can then be brought into use, as you can decide what you agree with and what not. It helps interaction with other people in the real world.

        Socrates agrees with Plato in the fact that Philosophy is a completely different way of thinking and can be set apart from subjects such as science or religion. He sees it as not just another way of theorizing about life, but a completely new outlook on life, and even a different way of living it. He is saying that Philosophy will engage the mind in thinking about points made and not just accepting things at face value. According the Apology, there are no set conclusions or answers in Philosophy. This means that you must be open minded and your own opinion and own conclusion are vital. What you draw from an argument is the most important thing.

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        Socrates said that the biggest mistake made by people was categorizing Philosophy with ‘cosmogony’ and ‘sophism’. He said:

‘ “There is a widespread misconception…that philosophy is the same as ‘cosmogony’ and ‘sophism”. He adds that this is a mistake’.

Cosmogonists are intellectuals who claim to have expert knowledge in natural science, and sophists are concerned with social sciences and humanities. He claims that knowledge acquired through Philosophy is limited and he calls it “human wisdom”. He is playing down his knowledge, but also implying that it is important in the real world, as he calls it “human” wisdom. He does ...

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