The Five Branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics. Study of Existence. "What's out there?"

Epistemology. Study of Knowledge. "How do i know about it?"

Ethics. Study of Action. "What should i do?"

Politics. Study of Force. "What actions are permissible?"

Esthetics. Study of Art. "What can life be like?"



There is a hierarchical relationship between these branches. At the root is Metaphysics, the study of existence and the nature of existence. Closely related is Epistemology, the study of knowledge and how we know about reality and existence. Dependent on Epistemology is Ethics, the study of how man should act. Ethics is dependent on Epistemology because it is impossible to make choices without knowledge. A subset of Ethics is Politics: the study of how men should interact in a proper society and what constitutes proper. Esthetics, the study of art and sense of life is slightly separate, but depends on Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Ethics.