Epistemology, metaphysic, ethics

[vptran84]

Hello all,

How are the metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics of each philosophy (Plato, Aristotle, Materialism, Sophists/Skepticism) connected or related to one another?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[loseyourname]

Could you get a little more specific?

 

[vptran84]

Plato
Metaphysics: Dualism-the belief that there are two realities in the universe; spiritual/intellectual and physical/perceptual
Epistemology: Rationalism-the belief that knowledge comes from reasoning in the basis of inborn ideas (not sense perception)
Ethics: the strive to turn away from physical pleasures, and get back to the true reality-the spiritual world of true goodness and knowledge.

Aristotle
Metaphysics: One reality-the natural world which includes body and soul/mind/consciousness/spirit.
Epistemology: Empiricism-the belief that knowledge comes from reasoning on the basis of sense-perception.
Ethics: Happiness on Earth is achieved by being a good/virtuous person.

Materialism
Metaphysics: only the physical world is real, "mind/soul" is just what the brain does.
Epistemology: Empiricism-the belief that knowledge comes from reasoning on the basis of sense-perception.
Ethics: what matters is happiness in this physical life.

Sophists/Skepticisms
Metaphysics: No reality except people's opinions/experiences etc.
Epistemology: Skepticism-starts with epistemology,-knowledge is impossible. (only opinions)
Ethics: anything goes; you can live however you want to live.

So how are the metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics of each philosophy are connected to one another?

 

[loseyourname]

That's not what I meant. I'm relatively familar with the metaphysics, epistemology, and ethical thought of these schools, but explaining something as broadly encompassing as the "connections" between each would take a book - probably multiple books. Is there really nothing more specific that you are looking for?

 

[vptran84]

no, i just want to know the explanation of how these are related/connected to one another. sorry if I am being too broad

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

It would probably be best to find a book of comparative philosophy. I read a book a while back that discussed each of the major philosophical movements and the manner in which they seem to have influenced each other. It was about four or five hundered pages and far from comprehensive but it gave a basic outline.

 

[hypnagogue]

vptran84, is this a question you have been assigned in school?

 

[TheDonk]

Metaphysics restricts and tells us about epistemology. Ethics is based on metaphysics and likely epistemology if mental states etc are of value. But epistomology tells us what and how we we can know about metaphysics so it's kind of odd in that way.

Are you looking for something similar to this? I'm sure if you are, you want something much more specific and with reasoning behind it, but am I on the right track?