Adventures in Philosophy The Radical Academy Main Menu Online Newsletter Academy Updates The M.J. Adler Archive The Dolhenty Archive Adventures in Philosophy Classic Philosophers Philosophical Critiques Philosophy Glossary Philosophy Quotations Philosophy Mini-Courses Thomas Aquinas Introductory Essays Philosophy Resources Politics Resources Religion Resources Education Resources Science Resources The Media Center Better Living Resource Center Business & Finance Resources Search Central Academy Bookstore Academy NewsStand Academy Emporium About the Academy Academy FAQs Ask the Academy Guestbook Academy Forum Calendar of Events Subscribe to Ezine Give Us Feedback Tell A Friend About Us Votecaster Cartoons & Comics Academy Chatroom
THE DIVISIONS OF PHILOSOPHY Select a Category... Ancient Philosophy Medieval Philosophy Modern Philosophy Recent Philosophy American Philosophy Islamic Philosophy Jewish Philosophy Political Philosophy Eastern Philosophy Introduction & Directory
		How philosophy is to be divided into sub-disciplines has seemed to fascinate philosophers throughout its history. Four different approaches to the divisioning of philosophy are given as diagrams below: The Aristotelian Division The Thomistic Division The Wolffian Division A Modern Revision by Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty In general, the following non-technical definitions will apply: Ontology: The philosophic science of the nature of being "in general" Epistemology: The philosophic science dealing with the problem of knowledge Psychology: Really "rational" or "philosophical" psychology, dealing with man as a "being" Theodicy: The philosophic science of God, First Cause, Creator - sometimes "natural theology" Logic: The philosophic science of correct thinking Ethics: The philosophic science dealing with human acts - sometimes "moral philosophy" Politics: The philosophic science of man's social end, including the form of state organization Axiology: The philosophic science which studies the general nature of "value" Aesthetics: The philosophic science which studies art, beauty, artistic value Academy Showcase Specials Introduction & Directory
The Aristotelian Division Implicit in the writings of Aristotle. Propaedeutic or Introductory Logic Speculative Philosophy Physics Mathematics Metaphysics Practical Philosophy Ethics Politics Poetical Philosophy Art The Thomistic Division Implicit in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Propaedeutic Logic Speculative Philosophy Philosophy of Nature Cosmology Psychology Philosophy of Mathematics Philosophy of Being Ontology Natural Theology Practical Philosophy Philosophy of Art Philosophy of Morals Ethics Political Philosophy The Wolffian Division Wolff (1679-1754) was a disciple of Leibniz and stressed the ontological aspects of the philosophy of nature. Some realistic philosophers prefer to follow him on this point. Metaphysics General Special Ontology Psychology Cosmology Theodicy Normative Sciences Logic Ethics General Special Aesthetics A Modern Revision of the Divisions of Philosophy by Jonathan Dolhenty, Ph.D. Descriptive Philosophy Metaphysics Ontology Psychology Cosmology Theodicy Criteriology Logic Epistemology Normative Philosophy Axiology Ethics Individual Social Special Medical Scientific Legal Business Politics Aesthetics Applied Philosophy As applied to Disciplines and Knowledge Philosophy of Law Philosophy of History Philosophy of Science Philosophy of Religion Philosophy of Mathematics Philosophy of Education As applied to Institutions and Individuals Philosophical Consulting for Institutions Philosophical Counseling for Individuals Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book... Introduction & Directory
-- Top of Page -- [Homepage] [Newsletter] [Search] [Support the Academy] [Link to Us] [Contact the Academy] [Citing Articles from Our Website] [Privacy Policy & Disclaimer] Copyright 1998-99, 2000-01, & 2002-03 by The Radical Academy. All Rights Reserved.  This Page Was Updated On