Branches
Branches
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Ethics -- the study of moral principles, attempts to establish rational grounds for good conduct
Typical Ethical questions: What is good/bad? What is right/wrong? What is the foundation of moral principles? Are moral principles universal?
Social/Political Philosophy -- the study of the value judgments operative in civil society
Typical Social/Political Philosophy questions: What form of government is best? What economic system is best? What is justice? Are we obligated to obey all laws of the State? What is the purpose of government?
Aesthetics -- the study of the nature and value of works of art and the aesthetic experience
Typical Aesthetic questions: What is a work of art? What is artistic creativity and how does it differ from scientific creativity? Why are works of art considered to be valuable? What do works of art communicate (if anything)? What is beauty? Does art have any moral obligations or constraints?