Metaphysics – the study of reality

• What is the nature of the world of which we are a part?
• What is the place of human beings in the universe?
• What is the ultimate reality?

Ethics – the study of conduct

• How do I formulate and justify my moral beliefs?
• Is there one moral standard that binds all human beings?
• What should I do when faced with difficult choices?

Logic – the study of thought

• What is the best way to think?
• What kind of mistakes do I generally make in my reasoning?
• Do the assumptions that I make each day have a solid foundation?

Aesthetics – the study of art

• What makes a good painting or a beautiful poem?
• Does my cultural background affect my judgements of beauty?
• Should movies and music be censored?

Epistemology – the study of knowledge

• What do I know?
• What exactly do I mean when I speak about truth?
• Can I trust my senses to give me reliable knowledge about the world?