What is Philosophy?Science corresponds to mans' basic interest in knowledge. One wants to have exact information about something and so one could ask oneself, for example...
- Which rules exist in nature and how can we use them. Physics
- Which regularities arise in the field of numbers. Mathematics
- Where did the Universe come from and how is it changing. Cosmology
- How living things develop, how they function and how they age. Biology
- How the human body functions and how man can live longer. Medicine
- How do the compounds, which make up materials, behave. Chemistry
- How it was in the past and why did it happen that way History
- How did languages develop and how did they mix. Linguistics
- What rights are and what is right. Law
- How does mans´ consciousness work and how we can manipulate it. Psychology
Naturally the list can be carried on - ecumenical studies, ecology, Islamic studies, theology, statistics, Russian studies, literature, German studies, sociology, politics, media science, ethnology, religious studies, archaeology...is there anything important left out? In view of the flow of modern scientific thought, one could indeed ask oneself,...
- How did the sciences develop, what do we know and what is all this good for. Welcome to the world of philosophy!
The other sciences think about something, but philosophy thinks about thinking itself.
Phi`los´o`phy Pronunciation: fi`los´ô`fy
- Literally, the love of, inducing the search after, wisdom; in actual usage, the knowledge of phenomena as explained by, and resolved into, causes and reasons, powers and laws.
- A particular philosophical system or theory; the hypothesis by which particular phenomena are explained.
- Practical wisdom; calmness of temper and judgement; equanimity; fortitude; stoicism; as, to meet misfortune with philosophy.
- Reasoning; argumentation.
- The course of sciences read in schools.
- A treatise on philosophy.
(Webster's 1913 Dictionary)
Phi`los´o`phy Pronunciation: fi`los´ô`fy
Philosophy is a study of the reality, causes and principles underlying being and thinking. It often refers to the collective works of major philosophers; it can mean the academic exploration or various questions raised by philosophers; it can also mean a certain critical, creative way of thinking. None of these meanings can be considered distinctly. Philosophy, in brief, has several connotations in common speech...
(Wikipedia)
Philosophy ?It is difficult if not impossible to find a definition for philosophy that all philosophers agree with. Philosophy is a little like religion. In the past 2,500 years philosophers have made differing and contradictory claims that have often led them on differing paths.
It is likely that the following definition would find the most supporters:
Philosophy is the attempt of man, by thinking, to solve the mystery of his being and his relationship to his outer world and his inner world. |
