What Is Philosophy?

The question What is Philosophy? can have several answers that are both broad and complicated. However, philosophy's definition in simple terms is that it is the pursuit of wisdom through individual or group concepts or ideologies. Formally, philosophy involves the quest for knowledge through venues such as art, politics, religion, logic, and metaphysics. The term philosophy can also refer to a singular set of thoughts and beliefs, as well as an analysis of their origins and an understanding of their theories. The study of ethics focuses on whether behaviors are honorable. Philosophy as a whole aids in the development of critical thinking skills.

The Purpose of Philosophy

Historically, the practice of philosophy spans thousands of years and geographical regions. What Philosophy means to each practitioner depends on both the particular discipline of thought and the thought process being used. Some philosophers have theories that share a great deal in common while others are as different as night and day in their concepts and ideas.

Philosophia is a Greek term dating back to around the late 7th century BCE (Before Common Era) and originating in modern-day Turkey. Meaning the love of wisdom, this uncommon practice greatly varied from the more common interests and pursuits of that time: poetry, drama, comedy, tragedy, farming, pottery, religion, and politics. The practice of Philosophia was often regarded suspiciously and thought to be dangerous. Many people were afraid of ways of thinking that they simply did not understand. Others thought Philosophia to be progressive and enlightening, which was one of the purposes of Philosophy.

Philosophers

The first known philosopher was Thales of Miletus, a Greek-speaking city located in Asia Minor (now Turkey). Thales was a thinker in subjects such as astronomy, math, navigation, and the elements of existence. His primary propositions were that water is a source underneath everything and that the universe has both its soul and numerous deities. Notable philosophers include:

Pythagoras:Having been born on the island of Samos and later traveling to Italy and founding the towns of Tarentum and Croton, Pythagoras drew the attention of many students of philosophy, math, music, and astronomy. These pupils were looking to expand their horizons and broaden their minds. As for Pythagoras, his primary study was in math, specifically geometry . He is best known for the Pythagorean Theorem, which states that in a triangle with a right triangle within it, the squared length of the longest side is equal to the length of the sum of the other two sides.
Plato: One of the most prominent philosophers of Athens, Plato primarily posed ideas about abstractions such as unity, equality, beauty, goodness, being, differences, and changes. It was important to Plato to distinguish the appearance of beauty and its actual existence. He also referred to the soul and the body it inhabits as separate entities and that the soul does not require the body to exist. He also thought of life as either a punishment or reward for the choices made in previous lives.
Aristotle: Aristotle : A Greek philosopher who paved the way for future philosophers, along with fellow contributors Socrates and Plato, Aristotle began as a tutor to Alexander the Great before founding his school in Athens, the Lyceum. Taught by Plato, who was a student of Socrates, Aristotle was a brilliant scholar and created approximately 200 writings on the subjects of poetry, reasoning, ethics, and psychology. 'Nicomachean Ethics', described the moral conduct he believed necessary for good living, with individual reasoning leading to sound judgment as to its basis. Aristotle also coined the term the '"golden mean."' This meant finding a balance between excessive living and living in deficiency, leading to living a moral life, which was Aristotle's primary life goal.
Socrates:Socrates: A primary influence on western philosophy, Socrates was a native of Athens who never actually produced any philosophical writings; however, he was the subject of many plays and portrayed as an insightful man full of integrity and skill in arguing. Many playwrights mocked him in both comedies and tragedies, but most were favorable of his character and legacy. Socrates was reputed to have been a student of language, nature, politics, and philosophy. He is well-known for having posted the question, '"What is courage?"' in Laches, a dialogue written by Plato.
Friederich Nietzsche:A German philosopher who was the son of a Lutheran minister, Friederich Nietzsche was both a philosopher and critic of morality and religion. He believed that many aspects of moral consciousness, such as guilt, altruism, compassion, and equality needed to be more logistically grounded to be validated. He pronounced faith in the Christian God unbelievable, stating that every notion and behavior built upon it was destined to collapse. He was a rather skeptical philosopher who seemed to value life, power, honesty, and personal responsibility.
Jean-Paul Sartre: As a French philosopher and pioneer of existentialism, Sartre believed that people were individually free and completely responsible for their actions through free will. Sartre also used the phenomenological method, developed by German philosopher Edmund Husserl, in many of his writings; this method suggests the use of a deliberate and objective examination of the conscious experience. He also believed that anything endeavored by humans was pointless.
Soren Kierkegaard:: A Danish philosopher and writer, Kierkegaard delved into the areas of psychology, theology, literature, and philosophy. He is known as the '"father of existentialism"' in the realm of philosophy, and he attempted to aid in the rebirth of Christianity. He believed that stereotypes should not be cast and that people should form their own identities by not conforming to societal expectations.
Epicurus: Epicurus: A major philosopher during the Hellenistic period believed that atoms were the most basic elements of matter. He believed knowledge should rely on the senses, that there is no disembodied soul, and that gods are influential upon our lives. He defined '"void"' as the available space in which bodies move. Epicurus also believed that nothing can be created without the existence of nothing and that the universe has no beginning and no end.
Simone de Beauvoir: A French writer, feminist, and philosopher, Simone de Beauvoir believed that one conscience could prey upon another. She was a feminist who postulated that men and women were equal beings based on their being and not their sexuality. She maintained a lifelong relationship with fellow philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, with whom she both founded and edited a monthly review called Le Tempes Modernes.
Arthur Schopenhauer:A German pessimistic philosopher, Schopenhauer believed that nothing existed without a reason for being. He maintained that time and space determine one another and that every action occurs from a motive with necessity behind it. Schopenhauer theorized that the will is expressed in an assortment of beings but that the will in itself is unified as a whole.

Branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics: Studies reality and existence.
Epistemology: Examines the nature of knowledge.
Axiology: Explores values (ethics and aesthetics).
Logic: Focuses on structured reasoning.

Being Philosophical

Being philosophical means reflecting on thoughts and actions critically. It aids in decision-making—from daily choices like meals to major life decisions like education. For example, considering consequences before acting immorally demonstrates philosophical thinking.

Lesson Summary

Philosophy spans art, science, religion, and logic, fostering critical thinking. Key branches include metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, and logic. Influential figures like Aristotle and de Beauvoir advanced ethics and feminism. Daily philosophical practice enhances judgment and relationships.

Vocabulary Terms

Philosophy: The pursuit of wisdom.
Philosophia: Love of wisdom.
Logic: Reasoning to discover the truth.
Metaphysics: Contemplates the physical universe and the complexities of ultimate reality.
Theories: Propositions that can usually be proven or explained by facts and reason.
Philosopher: Someone who studies, develops, or practices philosophy.
Deities: Gods or goddesses.
Geometry: A branch of math that deals with lines, points, angles, and surfaces.
Pythagorean Theorem: In a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of squares of the other two sides.
Alexander the Great: Former King of Macedon.
Lyceum: A school founded in Athens by Aristotle.
Golden Mean: A balance between excess and deficiency for moral living.
Laches: Socratic dialogue written by Plato.
Altruism: Selfless concern for other people.
Existentialism: Belief in individual freedom and responsibility for actions.
Theology: The study of God and religious beliefs.
Stereotypes: Oversimplified images or ideas about people or things.
Atoms: Basic components of a chemical element.
Matter: A physical substance that occupies space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best definition of a philosopher?

Philosophers are people who study the subject of philosophy and share their thoughts and findings through voice, print, and various other methods.

What is philosophy in simple words?

Philosophy is the pursuit of wisdom through individual or group concepts or ideologies. Simply put, it is the quest for knowledge.