FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

MINNA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

(URP)

COURSE:

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (ENVIRONMENTAL PERCEPTION)

(URP 319)

LEVEL: 300

MENTOR:

MRS MEMUNAT AKANBI OYIZA

MISS UMMULKHAIR HUSSAINI

GROUP 1

FEBRUARY 2024.
 DEFINITION OF PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence,
especially when considered as an academic discipline. Philosophy is a theory or attitude that acts
as a guiding principle for behavior. It is the systematic study of ideas and issues, a reasoned
pursuit of fundamental truths, a quest for a comprehensive understanding of the world, a study of
principles of conduct, and much more. It is a rational and critical inquiry that reflects on its own
methods and assumptions.

Philosophy comes from two Ancient Greek words, Philos ‘love’ and Sophia ‘wisdom’ in
combination ‘philein sophia’ meaning ‘love of wisdom’. In ancient times a lover of wisdom
could be related to any area where intelligence was expressed. This could be in business, politics,
human relations, or carpentry and other skills.

Historically, many of the individual sciences, such as physics and psychology, formed part of
philosophy. However, they are considered separate academic disciplines in the modern sense of
the term. Influential traditions in the history of philosophy include Western, Arabic–Persian,
Indian, and Chinese philosophy. Western philosophy originated in Ancient Greece and covers a
wide area of philosophical subfields. A central topic in Arabic–Persian philosophy is the relation
between reason and revelation. Indian philosophy combines the spiritual problem of how to
reach enlightenment with the exploration of the nature of reality and the ways of arriving at
knowledge. Chinese philosophy focuses principally on practical issues in relation to right social
conduct, government, and self-cultivation.
Major branches of philosophy are epistemology, ethics, logic, and metaphysics.

-Epistemology studies what knowledge is and how to acquire it.

-Ethics investigates moral principles and what constitutes right conduct.

-Logic is the study of correct reasoning and explores how good arguments can be distinguished
from bad ones.

-Metaphysics examines the most general features of reality, existence, objects, and properties.
Other subfields are aesthetics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of
religion, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of history, and political
philosophy. Within each branch, there are competing schools of philosophy that promote
different principles, theories, or methods.

Philosophers use a great variety of methods to arrive at philosophical knowledge. They include
conceptual analysis, reliance on common sense and intuitions, use of thought experiments,
analysis of ordinary language, description of experience, and critical questioning. Philosophy is
related to many other fields, including the sciences, mathematics, business, law, and journalism.
It provides an interdisciplinary perspective and studies the scope and fundamental concepts of
these fields. It also investigates their methods and ethical implications.

RELEVANT AUTHORS IN PHILOSOPHY

Relevant authors who have significantly contributed to the understanding of philosophy include:

-Plato: Known for his dialogues, Plato explored various philosophical themes, including ethics,
metaphysics, epistemology, and political philosophy. His works, such as "The Republic" and
"The Symposium," continue to be influential in Western philosophy.
-Aristotle: Aristotle's contributions span across metaphysics, ethics, logic, politics, and natural
philosophy. His works, including "Nicomachean Ethics" and "Metaphysics," laid the
groundwork for much of Western philosophy.

-Socrates: Known for his Socratic method of questioning and emphasis on self-examination,
Socrates laid the foundation for Western philosophical inquiry.

-Immanuel Kant: Kant's critical philosophy revolutionized many areas of philosophy,

particularly epistemology and ethics. His works, such as "Critique of Pure Reason" and
"Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals," remain central to contemporary philosophical
discourse.

-Friedrich Nietzsche: Nietzsche's existentialist and nihilistic philosophy challenged traditional

beliefs and values, advocating for individual autonomy and the pursuit of personal meaning. His
works, including "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" and "Beyond Good and Evil," continue to inspire
philosophical inquiry.

-Jean-Paul Sartre: A prominent existentialist philosopher, Sartre explored themes of freedom,

responsibility, and authenticity. His works, such as "Being and Nothingness" and "Existentialism
is a Humanism" shaped existentialist thought in the 20th century.

-Jane Jacobs: Although not a philosopher in the traditional sense, Jacobs' seminal work, "The
Death and Life of Great American Cities," offers philosophical insights into urban life,
community dynamics, and the importance of diversity in city planning. Her ideas have
influenced discussions on urbanism and the role of grassroots activism in shaping cities.

-David Harvey: A geographer influenced by Marxist theory, Harvey's work on urbanization,

capitalism, and spatial justice has been instrumental in critiquing the inequalities and injustices
inherent in urban development. His writings provide a critical lens for understanding urban
processes and advocating for more equitable planning practices.

-Susan Fainstein: Fainstein's work on urban planning and justice explores the relationship
between spatial planning policies and social equity. Her writings on the "just city" and the role of
planners in addressing urban inequalities offer valuable insights for practitioners seeking to
promote fairness and inclusivity in urban development.
-David Hume: Hume's empiricism and skepticism challenged traditional philosophical concepts,
particularly regarding causality, induction, and the self.

-Friedrich Nietzsche: Nietzsche questioned traditional moral values, advocating for a

reevaluation of ethics based on individual autonomy and the will to power.

-Ludwig Wittgenstein: Wittgenstein's work on language, meaning, and the philosophy of mind
influenced both analytic and continental philosophy, particularly his early work "Tractatus
Logico-Philosophicus" and later work "Philosophical Investigations."

-Simone de Beauvoir: De Beauvoir's existentialist feminism and her book "The Second Sex"
have had a significant impact on feminist theory and philosophy.

-René Descartes: Descartes is famous for his methodological doubt and the statement "Cogito,
ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"), which emphasizes the role of reason and self-awareness in
philosophical inquiry.

These authors, among others, have contributed to the rich tapestry of philosophical thought,
shaping our understanding of the world and our place within it.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSSOPHY

1. Critical Thinking: Philosophy emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills,

including analysis, evaluation, and logical reasoning. It encourages questioning assumptions,
examining arguments, and seeking clarity in thought.

2. Rational Inquiry: Philosophical inquiry relies on rationality and evidence to explore

fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, morality, and reality. It seeks to understand
the world through reasoned argumentation and empirical investigation where applicable.
3. Skepticism: Philosophy promotes a healthy skepticism, encouraging individuals to question
received wisdom, beliefs, and dogma. Skepticism fosters intellectual humility and openness to
new ideas, while also promoting rigorous scrutiny of claims.

4. Open-mindedness: Philosophical inquiry requires an open-minded approach to diverse

perspectives and viewpoints. It encourages individuals to consider alternative viewpoints,
entertain different arguments, and engage in constructive dialogue with others.

5. Clarity and Precision: Philosophy values clarity and precision in language and thought.
Philosophers strive to articulate ideas clearly, define terms precisely, and construct logically
valid arguments to avoid ambiguity and confusion.

6. Systematic Inquiry: Philosophy involves systematic inquiry into broad and fundamental
questions about the nature of reality, existence, knowledge, morality, and the human condition. It
seeks to develop coherent and comprehensive frameworks for understanding the world and our
place within it.

7. Interdisciplinary Engagement: Philosophy often intersects with other disciplines such as

science, psychology, sociology, literature, and art. It encourages interdisciplinary engagement,
drawing insights from diverse fields to enrich philosophical discourse and broaden perspectives.

8. Ethical Reflection: Philosophy engages in ethical reflection, exploring questions of morality,

justice, and the good life. It examines ethical principles, moral dilemmas, and the nature of
ethical reasoning, aiming to develop ethical frameworks that guide human behavior and
decision-making.
9. Historical and Cultural Context: Philosophy acknowledges the importance of historical and
cultural context in shaping philosophical ideas and perspectives. It examines the contributions of
past thinkers, traditions, and cultural contexts to enrich contemporary philosophical discourse.

10. Continuous Inquiry and Revision: Philosophy is a dynamic and evolving discipline that
engages in continuous inquiry and revision. It recognizes the provisional nature of knowledge
and encourages ongoing exploration, revision, and refinement of philosophical theories and
concepts in light of new evidence and insights.
 REFRENCES

The Ancient Greek philosophos ('philosopher') was itself possibly borrowed from the Ancient
Egyptian term mer-rekh (mr-rḫ) meaning 'lover of wisdom'.

These dates are traditionally cited but some recent scholars suggest that his life ran from 1077
to 1157.

The truth conditions of a sentence are the circumstances or states of affairs under which the
sentence would be true.

In this classic work, Bertrand Russell explores fundamental philosophical questions such as the
nature of reality, the limits of knowledge, and the relationship between mind and matter.

Grayling, A. C. (2019). The History of Philosophy. Penguin Books.

Anthony Grayling provides an overview of the history of philosophy, highlighting key thinkers
and their contributions to fundamental philosophical principles across various traditions and
periods.

Blackburn, S. (2016). Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy. Oxford University Press.

Fainstein, S. S., & Fainstein, S. (2018). The Just City. In T. Banerjee & A. Loukaitou-Sideris
(Eds.), Companion to Urban Design (pp. 289–299). Routledge.

Textbook: Title: "Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings" Author:

John Perry, Michael Bratman, and John Martin Fischer Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: Latest edition
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