what does philosophy mean to you?

Question

your philosophy

Answer 1

Friend of the search for Truth!

Answer 2

One slight, but crucial correction: The term 'philosphy' comes from two ancient Greek words, that much is true. 'Philo' does come from the Greek 'philos', which does mean 'love'. However, the word for 'knowledge' in Greek, is actually 'gnosis'. 'Sophia' means 'wisdom', and many people tend to blur the distinction between knowledge and wisdom. 'Knowledge' means 'possessing the truth', while 'wisdom' means 'possessing the truth' but coupled with 'just judgment' and 'discernment' as to action. Thus, when we put it all together, 'philosophy' then, is the love of wisdom.

Why would the distinction between knowledge and wisdom be important? Aristotle said that knowledge without wisdom is pretty useless (this is a rather bastardized quote, but it carries my point). So, according to Aristotle, and to most of us (common sense), you can have all the knowledge (possession of truth) in the world, but if you do not put it into action, then all that knowledge does not do you, or anyone else, any good.

Wisdom, then, is possessing truth (knowledge) then making proper judgments, or having correct discernment about what to do in any given circumstance. Thus, having wisdom helps us to, for example, choose the right path in life, or say the right thing to someone. THAT is much more precious and useful than having mere knowledge, because imagine what life would be like if those who possessed knowledge of, say the cure for cancer, but did not DO anything with it. Wisdom requires discernment and action, whereas mere knowledge does not.

On a final note, I agree with grendel69: "Sophie's World" is an excellent book to read for those interested in an introduction to the discipline of philosophy. You might also want to look into "Aristotle for Everybody" by Mortimer J. Adler. You can also find some great articles at radical academy.com

Answer 3

To me, philosophy can be someone's outlook on life and issues that pertain to life and living in the world around them. It can also be a belief about how people or things do, can, or should operate in the world. To give the most simple explaination, I think that you can say that philosophy is just like a religion, minus God and an ordered system of worship built around any particular diety.

Answer 4

Useless without power, practice, Life.

All those Come BEFORE philosophy.
Determine what is true.

Any philosophy that is determined in advance by prevailing ideologies, or selected by the state, used for justifications... isn't philosophy. It's a set of lies we "discover" to make metaphysical ethereal foundations to our retarded choices. To MAKE the system secure. Prestidigitation. Always already dissimulation. Stratospheric manipulation.

Answer 5

I like the second answer, The search for Truth.
In reality, however, and in the official studies Philosophy often stands for increasing "knowledge" over what so called "thinkers" have put forward.

Answer 6

Philosophy comes from the roots Philo-Love and Sophis-Knowledge. the love of knowledge. If you want to read a great book on Philosophy try 'Sophies World" It great

Answer 7

Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.

The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.

A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory

A system of values by which one lives

Answer 8

According to dictionary.com "The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs." is one of the definitions. It is a questioning of what we believe to be true. Perhaps a deeper look into the meaning of everything via analysis of the beliefs we have.
If we let go of the assumptions we have, thought can take us in any direction.

Answer 9

uh i dunno
but i do know that maybe philosophy is your view of everything around you, about you, about life
that's philosophy

Answer 10

a helping hand in hard times