What is philosophy?

To me philosophy is just analysing things, seeing what they do, why they do it, what would be the best way to go about it etc. It's a really simple thing really, I'm sure most people think philisophical thoughts every day, some more than others.

 

"Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational argument. The word "philosophy" comes from the Greek φιλοσοφία (philosophia), which literally means "love of wisdom"."

thank you wikipedia

 

If you want to become an able philosopher, be sure to learn critical thinking, rhetoric and logic.

And read history. Consume it. There are hundreds of authors and thousands of years of literature that already exist. The stronger you know pre-existing literature, the more informed your approach will become. The more credible your thesis' will become.

Although, I'd stop short of recommending a degree in the subject unless you want to teach.

 

In philosophy, there is a methodology to critical thinking and assessing arguments. You learn how to dissect syllogisms, how to assess semantics, how to identify fallacies, and how to test the validity of a claim.

Here are some free materials on the subject: Philosophy 210: Critical Thinking

In terms of philosophy literature, it's difficult to start at the beginning and do a full literature review. The body of work is absolutely immense. The best starting off point for critical thought might be something as basic as a textbook. A standard right now is Hughes and Lavery.

 

Philosophy is questioning or analysing one's life or existence.
that is probably as close as i can get

 

Philosophy was my Minor in college.

After six years and a M.A., my expert opinion is that Philosophy is the study of yak and blab by various dead foreigners.

All you have to do is read tons of bullshit and write more bullshit about the bullshit you read.

It's a pretty good scam if your are looking for an easy school gig.
I was really there to use my G.I. school benefits so I wouldn't have to get a job.

I'm an old geezer now and well on my way to senility, but even though I don't remember much about what I studied, I am still impressed with how intelligent I must have appeared back in the day.

Of course having all that Philosophical knowledge set me apart from the ignorant masses, but it never helped me much in my career as a VW mechanic and weed dealer.

 

^As this guy pointed out... Philosophy is, at best, pretentious posturing.

Ultimately... philosophy is nothing.

The Master doesn't philosophize. 'True contentment is contentment indeed.'

Like wikipedia said, most philosophers need problems to solve... so they gotta make up the problems in the first place... which doesn't really count. Philosophy is like digging ditches to fill them up.

 

Totally disagree. Philosophy informs any kind of communication. Philosophy is in our assumptions and any rudimentary knowledge.

Ironically, this is philosophizing. Any statement or claim is applicable to broadly-defined philosophical thought.

It's SO meta!

Problems sounds so pejorative. Think of them as questions.. inquiries... investigations. The answers depend entirely on the discipline and school and has such colourful variation. It is the episteme to our techne. They're co-dependent it seems.

Are you talking about a specific school of philosophy? Cause that doesn't seem to at all fit the idea of philosophy as a function of culture.

 

^What communication? Where's the duality? If there is no duality, then what is communication but posturing?

Even if there are two things - where are the ideas? Can you bottle some up for me?

I didn't philosophize... some things are just true. The Tao does nothing.

 

philosophy is.

 

What is life?

 

This whole post is your own personal philosophy. To philosphize you must have a point of view in which you see one. We all have one. Some people are content with just accepting what they see and feel and go through life. People who question there existance, and push the limits of there mind ultimately find a deeper meaning in life.

I do not see how this is a bad thing. Just my two cents man

 

^Once again, I never philosophized. Read my post again without assuming it's philosophy... it's possible. Philosophy, in that it is idea-based, cannot be proven to exist... thus even if the philosopher does exist (which is also yet to be proven,) his product (philosophy) is intangible and unquantifiable. First, he has to pretend he exists (posturing,) then he has to pretend his philosophy is actually valid (pretentious.)

What 'deeper meaning?'

'There is no gradation to the Path.'- Samantabhadra

I'm not saying philosophy is good or bad. I'm just saying it's not real.

 

I get where your coming from. In the classical sense most philosophy is based on purely speculative reasoning, if that can even be considered reason, but your assumption that all philosophy is meaningless is just as outrageous as some philosophical claims.

Not much in this life can be known. Thus our basic assumptions are often underlined by a certain philosophy. It really is inpossibly to escape. Philosophy effects every aspect of a person either directly, or indirectly.

But then again this ijust MY philosophy, so chances are its complete bullshit to someone else.

Smoke on blades.

 

How is that outrageous? You're the one who has to prove there is meaning...

Which as you alluded to is entirely subjective...

Thus, describing philosophy as anything other than meaningless is unfounded.

 

This is hilarious. This is this whole message board for the last four years in a nutshell.

 

Philosophy is debate and theory regarding questions that are unanswerable currently and eternally in principle. There will probably always be something to philosophize about, the same way there may always be questions in which everyone has a different answer. The point of philosophy (with the earliest philosophers using rationality rather than myths) is to find truth. Perhaps philosophy should aim to get those who study it more closer to a common existence and reality that is empirical to humans. The more skeptic you get, the more vague and outside our current reality you will venture into. Getting too skeptic is pointless. Philosophy is more of a study/discussion of humans and their realities. The questions they ponder due to their curious nature are a big part of their realities. Deriving from the Greek word "Philosophia" which means "love of wisdom".

There is a fine line between facts/science and philosophy. For example, we may know the answer of a scientific question to be the laws of physics... however when you ask "why do the laws of physics manipulate things this way" that could be a philosophical question. As of now it cannot be answered with pure empirical evidence, facts, or science. The question why does five objects plus another five equal ten objects or what does five plus five equal are NOT philosophical questions. When they could be proven, they tend to not be considered philosophy anymore.

Philosophy is used as a tool in society to decide answers for tough problems that are hindering the progression of orderly, pleasant society. People use philosophy to argue why abortion may be considered murder, or a useful option for a mother to decide what to do or create with her body. Philosophers are also used to consider what things count as corporate abuse, sexual abuse, and moral/immoral actions for certain forces to commit to another.

There are many different branches of philosophy... of which the various academics belonging to those schools teach there thoughts and influence the thought of groups which seek their tutelage. These people in essence are paid to teach and influence and discuss.

"Philosophy" is different from "A Philosophy". "A Philosophy" is a method or approach or theory about a particular thing.