What
Is Philosophy?
'Philosophy' is a large word that means different things to different people. For some, philosophy, is an academic discipline practiced by a highly specialized group of academics. For others, philosophy, comes in the form of opinions expressed in pubs, cafés, and homes throughout the world. The 'Philosophy' part of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) indicates that the holder has achieved a deep level of understanding of a specific subject area.
The Collins English Dictionary provides the following definitions for philosophy:
the rational investigation of being, knowledge, and right conduct.
a system or school of thought: the philosophy of Descartes
the critical study of of the basic principles and concepts of a discipline: the philosophy of law.
Archaic or literary. the investigation of natural phenomenon, especially alchemy, astrology, and astronomy
any system of belief, values, and tenets.
a personal outlook or viewpoint.
serenity of temper.
[C13: from Old French filosophy, from Latin phïlosophia, from Greek philosophos lover of wisdom]
In other words, there isn't much in human experience that does not involve philosophy in one form or another. Personal philosophical views influence how we conduct our lives on a daily basis. Many of the issues facing society as a whole can be seen as an interaction of different, and sometimes incompatible, philosophies.
For me, the study of philosophy is mostly the study of how people throughout the ages have tried to make sense of the world in the hope of finding a better way for people to live in the world.
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