2007-06-15 17:14:37 · 8 answers · asked by souljourney74 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
The unexamined life is not worth living- Plato
Philosophy is the study of the soul. If one has no interest in the "why" of life, they're already dead.
2007-06-15 17:23:29 · answer #1 · answered by Zatoichi 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Modern society and modern politics, as imperfect as they are, were brought to us by philosophical debate over the centuries. Philosophy brought us out of the Dark Ages, where churches ruled, into the Age of Reason, where the people rule.
Philosophy about the nature of the mind and soul brought us psychology, sociology, the arts, and anthropology. The philosophy of ethics brought us our criminal justice system, which is far better than what Dark Age peasants had. Philosophy of man's relationship with his surroundings brought us science and economics. All of the intellectual blessings we enjoy as a modern society are directly or indirectly the result of philosophical debate in past centuries.
Our own Constitution is the product of many, many months of heated debate over philosophies of government and law, by men who were educated in classical studies. Many of the Constitutional freedoms we enjoy are the result of that debate.
Philosophy drove the many human reforms of the twentieth century, such as Roosevelt's "New Deal," Kennedy's Civil Rights actions, Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society" programs, as well as the many new laws protecting the rights of minorities in employment. Philosophy is helping the West persuade many Eastern cultures to stop abusing and mis-treating women and children. Philosophical principle motivates the world to campaign for the end of human trafficking, and third world labor abuse.
The world is not a perfect place, but it is far better than what it might have been, were it not for philosophy.
2007-06-16 01:49:19 · answer #2 · answered by brahma_sky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Philosophy (love of wisdom) is something everyone does; only a very few do it formally. It is what we do to make sense out of our lives. From the time we are infants with a God given curiosity we "crawl around" our environment enthusiastically striving to learn all we can about it Sometimes in our exploration we get hurt physically or mentally but most of us press on with this the task God has set before us..Some get discouraged and say, "What is the point of life; what is its purpose?"
But we finally see that the point of life is life itself and the curiosity about it is the driving force behind it. We then set out to live it to its fullest and enjoy our pursuit along with others. Hopefully by the time we die we find some concrete answers. If we do we should share them with others like philosophers have done for thousands of years
Hope you get some concrete answers to make life more enjoyable. Good luck, good health, peace and love!
2007-06-16 01:17:11 · answer #3 · answered by Mad Mac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start with Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, work your way through Marcus Aurelius, get up to Bertrand Russell ("what is matter? Never mind. What is mind? Never matter:) and you will see deep, provocative thought. "philosophy" comes from the Greek root words, "love" and "knowledge".
If you have ever wondered why Man is on earth, what your purpose is, or any such think, you are using philosphy. It is to provide a meaning of life and give meaning to your life. Try it; you'll like it!
2007-06-16 00:25:30 · answer #4 · answered by Nothingusefullearnedinschool 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ANY philosophy is both thought-provoking and can be outside of our comfort zone of knowledge. It is "good" because it opens our eyes and expands our knowledge of life as we know it. Yes, it is the perspective of life of the person's philosophy you are reading....
2007-06-16 01:07:50 · answer #5 · answered by Patricia D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Aristotle, happiness.
And happiness is defined as a life lived in virtue.
Many more definitions that, frankly, I don't quite remember.
The point here, though, is that no one can acheive "the good" in life, since they always have a chance to become unvirtuous while they are alive. You can be in a state of happiness, and therefore, a state of the good, but you haven't achieved it.
He also defines supreme happiness as a life of happiness coupled with material wealth, good friends, success etc.
It's all very tricky.
2007-06-16 03:15:52 · answer #6 · answered by Born at an early age 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It makes us realize once more, how little we know of ourselves and other beings around us. However, its knowledge is derived from observation and self realization. The good is in its purpose and manifestations.
2007-06-16 00:34:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"All that which is proper to the life of a rational being is the good; all that which destroys it is the evil."
2007-06-16 13:38:26 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. Wizard 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋