The definition of philosophy?

Discuss any topics related to metaphysics (the philosophical study of the principles of reality) or epistemology (the philosophical study of knowledge) in this forum.
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Philosophy Explorer
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The definition of philosophy?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

I feel that though this may be a work-in-progress, that we're getting close to the truth so let's give it a try.

Someone mentioned that philosophy is thinking about thinking which is true, but I think too limited about describing philosophy. I think a better definition about philosophy is to say it's about investigating and examining the foundations of science, religion, art, reality, knowledge, ethics, morality, politics, aesthetics and logic. I think this definition is more comprehensive and would serve well as a guide.

What say you to this?

PhilX
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Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

If we are merely looking for a quick definition, why not just check the dictionary?
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

Scott wrote:If we are merely looking for a quick definition, why not just check the dictionary?
Already did Scott. None of them mention religion and only one mentions science from my first internet page. Mentioning art and aesthetics might be duplicating, I'll let others decide.

PhilX
Spectrum
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by Spectrum »

Philosophy Explorer wrote:I feel that though this may be a work-in-progress, that we're getting close to the truth so let's give it a try.

Someone mentioned that philosophy is thinking about thinking which is true, but I think too limited about describing philosophy. I think a better definition about philosophy is to say it's about investigating and examining the foundations of science, religion, art, reality, knowledge, ethics, morality, politics, aesthetics and logic. I think this definition is more comprehensive and would serve well as a guide.

What say you to this?

PhilX
With reference to your OP, you might as well say, 'Philosophy is the investigating and examining the foundation of life' to avoid missing out anything critical in your listed activities.
IMO, this is not relate to philosophy-proper.
I think your definition is influenced with bias to ancient Greek/Western philosophy so it is not universal.
Not-a-theist. Religion is a critical necessity for humanity now, but not the FUTURE.
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

Spectrum wrote:
Philosophy Explorer wrote:I feel that though this may be a work-in-progress, that we're getting close to the truth so let's give it a try.

Someone mentioned that philosophy is thinking about thinking which is true, but I think too limited about describing philosophy. I think a better definition about philosophy is to say it's about investigating and examining the foundations of science, religion, art, reality, knowledge, ethics, morality, politics, aesthetics and logic. I think this definition is more comprehensive and would serve well as a guide.

What say you to this?

PhilX
With reference to your OP, you might as well say, 'Philosophy is the investigating and examining the foundation of life' to avoid missing out anything critical in your listed activities.
IMO, this is not relate to philosophy-proper.
I think your definition is influenced with bias to ancient Greek/Western philosophy so it is not universal.
Could call it the western branch philosophy. What would be the eastern branch's definition of it?

PhilX
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by Jklint »

Creating paradigms out of chaos which don't have to be for all time just temporarily operational. One can also call it an arena of feuding ideas meant to force disambiguation if only theoretically. It's the art of the opinionated as much as it is that of the true observer in whatever field. It constantly seeks truth but intermittently recoils to discover the utility of it and that's when it becomes more valuable realizing it operates only in a field of perspectives where one so-called abstracted truth becomes the temporary overlord of another...and so on. Philosophy is the one true perpetual motion machine gliding seamlessly upon the grooves of both stupidity and brilliance. It's what Nietzsche calls "Human, All too Human".
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by MidiChlorian »

The definition of the word "philo-sophy" is defined as the following: Philosphy http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/philosophy?s=t

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English philosophie < Latin philosophia < Greek philosophía. See philo-, -sophy,

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/philo-
"philo-" "a combining form appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “loving” (philology); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (philoprogenitive)."

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/-sophy
"-sophy" "a combining form occurring in loanwords from Greek ( philosophy; theosophy ); on this model used, with the meaning “science of,” in the formation of compound word."

So, in essence "philosophy" can be defined as the "science of loving".

Where these primary philosophies have been categorized as: "any of the three branches, namely dictionary.reference.com/browse/natural ... hilosophy' natural philosophy, dictionary.reference.com/browse/moral%2 ... philosophy moral philosophy, and http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metaphysics metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as composing this study" through "the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct."
The Reality of knowing what Wisdom is, is in the Experiencing of the Philosophy of using Knowledge.
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

Excerpting from Midchlorian:

"So, in essence 'philosophy' can be defined as the 'science of loving'."

Sounds like studying a hooker.

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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by MidiChlorian »

Philosophy Explorer wrote:Excerpting from Midchlorian:

"So, in essence 'philosophy' can be defined as the 'science of loving'."

Sounds like studying a hooker.

PhilX
Yes, this may be true, where, is it still considered, the world's oldest profession? Or, can it be considered as the attempt to find true love, or the understanding of truth, from loving one another, as brotherly and sisterly love? Can we truly understand the philosophy of life if we do not understand the philosophy of love through being loved?
The Reality of knowing what Wisdom is, is in the Experiencing of the Philosophy of using Knowledge.
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

Philosophy Explorer wrote:
Scott wrote:If we are merely looking for a quick definition, why not just check the dictionary?
Already did Scott. None of them mention religion and only one mentions science from my first internet page. Mentioning art and aesthetics might be duplicating, I'll let others decide.

PhilX
Why would the definition of philosophy be expected to mention religion or science? Religion and science are both different methods than philosophy.
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

Scott wrote:
Philosophy Explorer wrote: (Nested quote removed.)


Already did Scott. None of them mention religion and only one mentions science from my first internet page. Mentioning art and aesthetics might be duplicating, I'll let others decide.

PhilX
Why would have the definition of philosophy be expected to mention religion or science? Religion and science are both different methods than philosophy.
And yet you have the philosophy of religion and science categories. Why have those separate categories? (other websites also do this).

PhilX
pekin
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by pekin »

There are many definitions of philosophy, all seem to reflect partial truth about this particular discipline/inquiry. However, I like best:

Philosophy is critical thinking. [thinking of course about arguments and arguments are about propositions]

How do we think critically? We use deductive logic to analyse the arguments or construct arguments.

I hope this will help.
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by 3uGH7D4MLj »

Philosophy Explorer wrote:Someone mentioned that philosophy is thinking about thinking which is true, but I think too limited about describing philosophy. I think a better definition about philosophy is to say it's about investigating and examining the foundations of science, religion, art, reality, knowledge, ethics, morality, politics, aesthetics and logic. I think this definition is more comprehensive and would serve well as a guide.

What say you to this?
One definition I found is, "Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language," but there are other definitions.

If you are unsure how a person is using the word in a specific situation, the best thing is to ask, "What do you mean when you say 'philosophy' here?"
fair to say
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Nameless1995
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Re: The definition of philosophy?

Post by Nameless1995 »

It is not science of loving. It is love for wisdom. And there is another description, that it is a type of step back thinking i.e instead of following all cultural conditioning, stepping back for a while and analyze and all that.
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