WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?
ETYMOLOGICALLY, PHILOSOPHY CAME FROM THE TWO GREEK WORDS – “PHILO”
MEANS LOVE AND “ SOPHIA” MEANS WISDOM.
THUS PHILOSOPHY MEANS THE LOVE FOR WISDOM
LOVE OF WISDOM- a science where reasons and logic to understand reality and answer questions of
knowledge, morality and human nature.
Philosophy is technically defined as “ scientia rerum per causas primas sub lumine rationis naturalis”.
Is the science that by natural light of reason studies the first causes or highest principles of all things
acquired by the aid of human reasons alone.
Philosophy is a knowledge acquired by the aid of human
reason alone.
Philosophy of Human Person is a branch of philosophy which concerns itself with trying to
respond to those deepest and perennial questions about human beings - questions that have
plagued humans ever since history began. Here, our attempt is to respond to these issues, and
not answer them.
THE LOVE OF WISDOM IS SYNONYMOUS TO THE SEARCH FOR WISDOM AND THE DESIRE TO ACQUIRE IT.
HENCE, A PHILOSOPHER IS A PERSON WHO DOES NOT ONLY LOVE TO KNOW, BUT LOVES TO KNOW THE
TRUTH AND DESIRES TO LIVE IN IT.
AS PER WESTERN PHILOSOPHY TRADITION, THE TERM PHILOSOPHY IS SAID TO BE COINED BY
PYTHAGORAS –
A MATHEMATHICIAN AND A PHILOSOPHER FROM IONA ( A CITY IN ANCIENT GREECE). ACCORDING TO
PYTHAGORAS THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF MAN
1. A LOVER OF SUCCESS,
2. A LOVER OF WISDOM (THE HIGHEST OF WHICH IS LOVER OF WISDOM)
The ancient Greeks used this term to
Refer to “love of wisdom” and they soon applied it to the study or discipline that uses human reason to
investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which governs all things.
THE CHINESE, ON THE OTHER HAND, DESCRIBE PHILOSOPHY AS ZHE-SUE, WHICH MEANS
“THE STUDY OF WISDOM.”
THE CHINESE CHARACTER ZHE BEARS THE EMBLEM OF
“MOUTH AND HAND” SUGGESTING THAT WORDS AND ACTION SHOULD GO TOGETHER.
FOR THE HINDUS, PHILOSOPHY IS RENDERED AS DARSHANA, WHICH MEANS VISION OR VIEW OR
A MODE OF SEEING. SEEING IN THIS MANNER IS NOT ONLY THROUGH THE SENSE OF SIGHT, BUT ACTING
WITHOUT BIAS
NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY
1. Philosophy is a set of views or beliefs about life and the universe, which are often held uncritically.
2. Philosophy is a process of reflecting on and criticizing our most deeply held conceptions and beliefs.
These two senses of philosophy— “having” and “doing”— cannot be treated entirely
independent of each other, for if we did not have a philosophy in the formal, personal sense,
then we could not do a philosophy in the critical, reflective sense.
3. Philosophy is a group of perennial problems that interest people and for which philosophers always
have sought answers. Philosophy presses its inquiry into the deepest problems of human existence.
Some of the philosophical questions raised in the past have been answered in a manner satisfactory to
the majority of philosophers. Many questions, however, have been answered only tentatively, and many
problems remain unsolved.
“What is truth?”
“What is the distinction between right and wrong?”
What is life and why am I here?
Why is there anything at all?
IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY
1. The study of Philosophy enables us to think carefully and clearly about important issues.
2. In studying Philosophy, we learn to take a step back from our everyday thinking and to explore
the deeper, bigger question which underpins our thought.
3. The focus in the study of Philosophy is to learn not what to believe, but how to think.
4. Studying philosophy sharpens your analytical abilities, enabling you to identify and evaluate
the strengths and weaknesses in any position.
5. It hones your ability to construct and articulate cogent arguments of your own.
6. It prompts you to work across disciplinary boundaries and to think flexibly and creatively
about problems which do not present immediate solutions.
7. Because philosophy is an activity as much a body of knowledge, it also develops your ability to
think and work independently.
Purpose of Philosophy:
Enables us to understand ourselves better.
Helps us understand others, our fellowmen,
Helps us understand other ways of thinking,
Helps us understand the world and our place and role in it,
Help us understand the significance, meaning value, and finality of human life.
