Map of the field
Branches of Philosophy
Philosophy is often mapped into core branches—metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic—plus political philosophy and many specialized fields.
Short answer
A practical map: metaphysics asks what reality is like; epistemology asks what knowledge is; ethics asks how we ought to live; logic studies valid reasoning; political philosophy asks how power and institutions should be arranged.
The four classical cores
Metaphysics (including ontology) studies being, causation, time, mind, and what kinds of things exist. Epistemology studies knowledge, justification, perception, and testimony. Ethics studies value, right action, and the good life. Logic studies inference—what follows from what.
These cores overlap. Philosophy of science asks metaphysical and epistemic questions together; philosophy of mind joins metaphysics of consciousness to epistemology of self-knowledge.
Political and social philosophy
Political philosophy examines justice, rights, authority, freedom, and the legitimacy of states. It is sometimes listed beside the four cores because civic life continually forces philosophical choices about coercion and cooperation.
Specialized branches
Further fields include philosophy of language, mind, religion, art, law, education, history, technology, and artificial intelligence. Comparative philosophy studies these questions across traditions without assuming a single center.
How to use the map
Beginners can pick one live question—What is knowledge? What is justice?—and notice which branch it primarily belongs to, then follow quotations and guides in this archive as doorways into fuller texts.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main branches of philosophy?
Commonly: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic, often with political philosophy and many specialized areas.
Is aesthetics a branch of philosophy?
Yes. Philosophy of art and beauty is a major specialization intersecting ethics and metaphysics of value.
Where should a beginner start?
Start with ethics or a concrete question you already care about, then widen into epistemology and metaphysics as needed.
From the archive
Read alongside this guide
“It is through wonder that people both now begin and first began to philosophize.”
“The human good is activity of soul in accordance with virtue.”
“Virtues arise in us neither by nature nor contrary to nature; we are fitted by nature to receive them, and are brought to completion by habit.”