Define Philosophy Essay

Philosophy can be defined in many ways William Thomas of the Atlas inn defines it as a comprehensive system of ideas about humanity personality and the nature of the reality we live in. It is a guide for living, because the issues it addresses ar raw material and pervasive, determining the course we take in life and how we treat former(a) people. (Thomas, 2005) Nigel Warburton, author of Philosophy The Basics explains his definition in simpler terms by saying that school of thought is an activity performed by philosophers and that it is a way of thinking about received sorts of doubts. (Warburton, 2004, p. 1)Many times the word philosophy is utilise in a broad sense to mean ones general outlook on life, or else to refer to some forms of mysticism. (Warburton, 2004, p. 1) new(prenominal) professionals confide that philosophy can non actually be defined, that the question is too abstract or too controversial because philosophers can not seem to come together with one deta il answer. (Sinnott-Armstrong, 2004) The word philosophy derives from the ancient Greeks and it is defined as the love of wisdom. (Thomas 2005) The most distinctive distinction of philosophy is its use of limpid ancestry. Philosophers invent their own argument and/or pass judgment on the arguments of others by analyzing and clarifying the concepts surrounding the finicalised topic in question. (Warburton, 2004, p. 1) In essence, philosophers simply create a formal question and then make how it all fits together. (Sinnott-Armstrong, 2004) Contemporary sciences began with a philosophic inquiry followed by a scientific method of experimentation that leads to the supreme proof of the truth behind the question. The most common topics that philosophy addresses argon metaphysics, the theory of reality epistemology, the theory of knowledge ethics, the theory of moral set politics, the theory of legal rights and government Aesthetics, the theory of the nature of art. (Thomas 2005)T hough these topics atomic number 18 common, with philosophy you can analyze any topic as it excessively includes subfields such as philosophy of religion, of law, of economics, of biology, of mathematics, of computers, of psychology, of art, of music, and so on. (Sinnott-Armstrong, 2004) The goal of philosophy is to ask the question of how any of these topics are related to to each one other in an overall world view. (Sinnott-Armstrong, 2004) The philosopher utilizes the logical argument when working towards a conclusion. The logical argument takes a broad approach to the question at pass by by papering the variety of reasons behind the truth of a specialised question. The logical argument turn backs the condition under which the truth of certain beliefs leads of course to the truth of some other beliefs and draws attention to the sundry(a) ways we are led to believe something that isnt true. (Kemerling, 2001) In the logical argument, the philosopher takes into considerat ion a group of propositions and how each relates to the other in support of a particular conclusion. The transition from the argument to the conclusion, or the logical connection, is the inference on which the argument relies. (Kemerling, 2001) The scientific or factual arguments in other disciplines, such as biology or psychology, have a direct path to their answers. This oddball of argument will lead from truth to truth or how the exposit and the conclusion relate directly to each other in a specific argument. (Kemerling, 2001) In other words, the conclusion of this type of argument would be illustrated in the statement Strawberries are red. The truth of the factual questioning has no bearing on that of the others. (Kemerling, 2001) The sciences take a focus that is specialized and in a more restricted solid ground and not how each domain relates to the other. (Thomas 2005) Philosophy is a discipline that raises deep questions and how each conclusion relates to the other. The p hilosopher searches for a conclusion by integrating everything one knows about reality (metaphysics) or humanity (epistemology, ethics, politics and aesthetics). (Thomas 2005) In essence, in Philosophy you can study any topic and how they relate to each other in an overall world view. (Sinnott-Armstrong, 2004) Philosophers methods vary, however a similarity is in the fact that each question the authorities in various fields. For example the medical professionals finalize what medication works best for common ailments and religious professionals designate specific texts that detail what is required, the philosopher does not declare that any one entity can determine what is right or wrong. (Sinnott-Armstrong, 2004) Many argue that there is no raze to study philosophy, that questioning the meaning of our existence can be grave and that ultimately humans will begin to believe that they are paralyzed. (Warburton, 2004, p. 3) It is human nature for us to question why we exist, do our l ives have social function or are we living in a dream. People who study philosophy believe that it is important to thoroughly examine these questions because of the overwhelming believe that an unexamined live is not worth living (Warburton, 2004, p. 3) Philosophers believe that humans petty(a) their lives on principles that seem entirely sound and just, however until those principles are examined in depth and the prejudices are removed, we can not be entirely certain of their validity. (Warburton, 2004, p. 3) Philosophers will continue to study various broad topics and make an exertion at combining various world views into a single perspicuous system of thought. This particular science is beneficial because by analyzing the arguments that support or disprove certain topics at hand humans learn various skills that can be transferred into other areas of life. (Warburton, 2004, p. 4) Historically the study has proven itself to stand us with various solutions to life issues that w ould have otherwise remained a mystery.ReferencesKemerling, G. (2001, October 27). Arguments and Inference. Retrieved from http//www.philosophypages.com/lg/e01.htmSinnott-Armstrong, W. (2004, whitethorn 17). What is Philosophy? Retrieved from http//www.dartmouth.edu/phil/whatis/wsa.htmlThomas, W. (2005). What is Philosophy? Retrieved from http//www.objectivistcenter.org/cth-32-409-FAQ_Philosophy.aspxWarburton, N. (2004). Philosophy The Basics (4th ed.). New York Routledge. Retrieved May 1, 2007, from Questia database http//www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=110822702