2007-03-08 15:27:55 · 14 answers · asked by ^MomentaryInsanity^ 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Philosophy today is thinking about thinking and the mental forces that shape thinking. Go back a few hundred years and philosophy included all science - thinking about the world.
2007-03-08 15:33:20 · answer #1 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I shall focus on Western Philosophy, as I believe that is what you have in mind:
As others have already mentioned, the etymological definition of Philosophy, first coined by the philosophic master of Western philosophy himself, Plato, is philos (the Greek word for love) and sophia (the Greek word for wisdom) Plato coined this term in his Symposium to mean the pursuit of wisdom. In a very basic Platonic sense, people yearn for immortality, (in a metaphoric sense) and one way people can achieve immortality is through great ideas, philosophic ideas. We pursue wisdom because it brings us great benefit and glory, and we love the beauty that wisdom brings us. Perhaps he was right, as Plato has retained a reputation for his wisdom well after 2,000 years of his physical life.
Philosophy today can generally be divided into two schools: The analytic and the continental tradition. Analytic philosophy seeks to find basis for knowledge and understanding of the world through logic and reason. Continental philosophy seeks to find understanding and knowledge of the world through more metaphysical and phenomenological means. Plato is still a prime player in both of these traditions, so although philosophy has evolved substantially since the time of Plato, his definition of philosophy will probably be the most suitable.
2007-03-08 17:11:29 · answer #2 · answered by cambriandigs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Philosophy is the area of humanities that deals with human thoughts and ideas seperate from religion, history, business,
psychology, or any of the sciences.
2007-03-08 15:35:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Believe
2007-03-08 15:38:29 · answer #4 · answered by Hzkeys 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
love of knowledge,literally.By extension,a way of living based on your understanding of the world.You can have a personal philosophy that you carry about with you.You can also decide to spread your philosophy out to the general public and see if you can gain adherents.
2007-03-08 15:30:26 · answer #5 · answered by kevin k 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Balancing the mind about the unknown.
2007-03-08 15:52:54 · answer #6 · answered by Skyliner 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Love=Philo. wisdom = osophy. Love of wisdom.
2007-03-08 15:31:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The study of humans and their interactions
2007-03-08 15:38:15 · answer #8 · answered by BANANA 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Philosophy - Why are we here, what do we do while we are here, where do we go from here.
2007-03-08 15:36:50 · answer #9 · answered by FrisbeeFoxx 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
phi lo means friend or friendly sofo means you think we like to talk about things that happen or may happen i Hope i helped you
2007-03-08 15:39:37 · answer #10 · answered by eviot44 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋