What constitutes a philosophical question?

Question

What is the difference between a question within the domain of philosophy -- one which philosophy is best suited to answer -- and one which is not? Is it a matter of how or whether we define our terms? Is it a matter of whether empirical research is involved?

Answer 1

The simple answer is that there are no questions that are inherently philosophical... it is the ANSWERS that are philosophical or not. So the questions that best fit in the domain of philosophy are those seeking that kind of an answer.

What makes an answer philosophical, on the other hand, is easier to define. Philosophy tries to be based on rational thinking and it tries to make as few leaps of faith as possible. Thus, many of the points you have picked out - such as agreement about the definition of terms and correspondance with experience - are very relevant to philosophy because of this grounding in reason.

Answer 2

Philosophy answers questions of metaphysics and epistemology (as 2 examples.) These are necessary for all other forms of thought, like science. As a matter of fact, metaphysics is the "Science of Sciences."
As such, philosophy makes critical--not necessarily disparaging--remarks about other branches, like biology.

For example, we all know stem-cell research works. We don't have to argue that. What we have to argue is whether or not there are ethical considerations and what they may be. The answers will affect political decisions, which will affect medical decisions, and philosophy will still be critiquing the political and medical decisions.

Answer 3

I have a philosophy about that....Ahem...all questions are philosophical.

OK seriously....questions dealing with the way we think about our thoughts and ideas lend themselves most readily to philosophical treatment.