Just out of curiousity....how many of you are real philosophers?

Question

I know we all have perspective, but I'm just wondering. And what is philosphy by book definition?

to kenyerie (i think i mispelled it)- what do you mean, "once we pass the teen age?" Are you saying that teenagers are incapable of thought and perception? in case you did not look, i'm 13 myself, which i'm sure is to be considered a "teen age," to stereotype it even more.

Or do you mean something else that i'm just not getting?

Answer 1

Philosophy is a study of the shared pursuit of truth. It is a greek word - philo (filia) meaning love of or friend of and sophy (sofia) meaning wisdom which is the ability to make a judgement about the good of the whole on your basis of the knowledge of the truth).
1) saying only what you can prove
2) define the truth of the matter - argument, logical proof

There are metaphysical, epistemaological and value Qs.

Psychology is about perspective.
Philosophy is not about the way you see life, your opinions, personal belief, view of the world...

It is a long study to become a 'real' philosopher. I hope to stay on that course. It is a way of life for me and it makes me a stranger to the political way of life.

Answer 2

What is it for someone to be a real philosopher? Do you mean a professional philosopher? I think they’re different.

I have studied philosophy for several years now and have a degree in it, working on a post graduate degree at present. I consider myself a real philosopher but I’m not a professional one – no one pays me to write philosophy the way some staff at the university are. The best ‘text book’ definition of philosophy is its literal interpretation, “Love of wisdom”. There’s a fabulous account of that love in Plato’s Phaedrus and Symposium by the way. More specifically than “Wisdom” though, philosophical training focuses on problem solving, mental acumen, analytic skills (and no, not just “analytic philosophy”, continental philosophy inculcates the same skills), with focuses on ethics, pure logic, metaphysics, epistemology and so forth. In fact, since there are not many positions available for professional philosophers, a large number of philosophy graduates end up working for big business and big government bureaucracy, selected simply on the basis of their training in the rules of correct inference and their skills in reading, analysis, solving very nebulous and complex problems and being able to communicate the substance and solutions of those problems in very understandable and succinct ways. (Check out the link on this below). Professional philosophers do get paid to write and teach philosophy, but philosophy is also a way of life and so long as one loves wisdom in the relevant sense and is equipped with the right mental acumen, I would consider them a “real philosopher”.

Answer 3

How does one define a "real" philosopher? I've taken classes in philosophy and read some Nietzsche on my own aside from that, as well as some other philosophy sources both online and off. But philosophy is not my career.

For the "book" definition of philosophy, check out these links below.

Answer 4

My husband has a degree in philosophy so I am an amateur philosopher, because you cannot live with one and avoid philosophy. It is a discipline, like every other field. It deals with questions about knowledge, ethics, metacognition, logic, and epistomology.

Philosophers also study other philosophers, and love to engage in rational discussion, argument, debate, etc. He applies his knowledge of knowledge in educational research to help teachers be effective in their jobs.

I hesitate to offer a book definition because philosophers disagree on just what philosophy is due to the nature of the subject!

Answer 5

As long as we pass the teen age, we all are philosophizing in life, on this and that! It's a way of being deeply thinking about topics; the deepest we think... for that, no one needs to have a master degree or being still in university to study.
Either way, most contemporary philosophers have always argued on everything...

Answer 6

Philosopher means 'lover of knowledge'.

I am not a philosopher and hold that philosophy is a waste of time other than as entertainment.

Answer 7

philosophically speaking i may be either a philosopher or a hack, i suppose it depends on the day it is and how i feel about myself in the moment

Answer 8

Not very many of us are my boy. But boy do we ever like to give our opinions away eh?

Answer 9

I am one. I accept life as it comes. I believe in Karma.

Answer 10

I am. But no one can answer the question "how many?" How are you going to count?