The Nature of Philosophy
Philosophy is a subject that chases wisdom by trying to answer the questions we have regarding our life, what we know, and what we choose to do. One aspect of philosophy stands out too because it refers to the knowledge and what we do with the information we receive from our experience on a day to day basis and how we process this information. The nature of philosophy surrounds the techniques we use, how we react to new knowledge, the answers to questions we have all asked, and how we use this new knowledge to benefit ourselves or pass the wisdom to others. The nature of philosophy is all encompassing because it helps answer the questions we constantly ask ourselves, and how we relay that knowledge as wisdom and
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One of Plato’s key examples was the Allegory of the Cave and was a parallel between ignorance and knowledge. In this example a prisoner is exposed to sunlight he is blinded at first but then embraces is he is then returned to his cave but when he returns and tells the other prisoners about the sunlight, but the other prisoners did not believe him. The reason this is a parallel is that it is the way manner in which we react to new information, even learning about philosophy we experience a sort of blinding light but then we start to accept it. It is a sort of cycle in which at first we are incredulous and can’t believe it but as soon as we are able to understand it more we can move towards expanding the point of view of those around us. They go through the same cycle in order to understand the new knowledge. Plato even reveals this cycle, “I tell you now, that the prison is the world we see with our eyes: the light of the fire is like the power of our sun. The climb upward out of the cave into the upper world is the ascent of the mind into the domain of true knowledge.” (Velasquez 6). In this, he also addresses the way we grow in knowledge which is one of the advantages of enduring the process of learning. Socrates work in questioning anyone and everyone earned him the title of gadfly because he annoyed those he questioned. This form of questioning also earned him the title of the wisest man in Athens from the Oracle of Delphi. The
As discussed in class, philosophy is about engaging yourself in conversation to the extent of thinking what other people are saying with virtues in mind. It is interesting to figure out how one comes to an opinion or thought and where the evidence comes
To begin, it is important to understand and analyze what philosophy is and ultimately what a philosophical question is. Philosophy is a quest after knowledge. Philosophy is the action of thought and analysis, in fact, it is a pretty unique type of
Socrates was a great thinker and debater dedicated to truth. He spent his golden years walking the streets of Athens in pursuit of wisdom. Socrates lived the destiny that was revealed to him in the Oracle. He created and perfected his own cross-examination technique; we today know it as the Socratic Method. He was thorough and unrelenting. His subjects were often humiliated. Socrates would methodically disprove anyone he thought was wrong. In his eyes, most of the people he interviewed were blind. It did not matter if one was wealthy and influential or if they were young and impressionable. Socrates could question anyone and turn him or her inside out. Unfortunately, he did so without regard to the
In his explanation of his behavior, Socrates also adds that part of his duty as a wise man, is to make sure that he questions the behavior of other wise men to make sure that those men are also aware
According to Simon Blackburn, philosophy can be different things depending on how it’s used, and it can be used many different ways. When used as a method, philosophy studies the same world as science, but uses rational arguments as proof rather than scientific observations. Although, when thought of as a subject matter rather than a method, philosophy becomes a specific area of study, trying to answer questions that have not yet been answered and concern humanity using the three foundational philosophical questions: what exists, what do we know, and what should we do. These are the basic questions philosophers use to prove their arguments. The third way to use philosophy, according to Blackburn, is
Plato begins explaining the beginning. The search for knowledge, the understanding what are things and what are their purposes. As argued in the Meno, perplexity is an intermediary stage towards knowledge. As we know, with knowledge comes everything else. It is explained also that in order to want to seek knowledge, one must possess virtues, like courage. Courage is the one to push you into knowing something. These are the things that will drive someone into knowing the basis of everything. For example a square, in order to do one or understand it one must know what are lines, points, etc.
The meaning of philosophy is the love of wisdom, questioning everything including ourselves. Philosophizing is about questioning the meaning of life.
Socrates has gotten the reputation of not being a great person. This reputation has come about somewhat due to the Oracle at Delphi. Socrates’s friend Chaerephon went to the oracle and asked who the wisest person was. The response was the Socrates was the wisest. Socrates did not believe this and set out prove the oracle wrong. He found people that were known as wise people around the town and surrounding areas. Socrates would question them to try and show
After discovering this definition of wisdom, Socrates’ mission transforms from one of learning to one of teaching. He sees himself as on a mission from the god Apollo, who wishes for him to demonstrate his newfound knowledge of the nature of wisdom to all of Athens. Therefore, he continues to travel about the city and question those he sees as wiser than himself, but this time his purpose is not to glean the meaning of wisdom, but to show the people he is questioning their own deficiencies in being wise. In this manner, he sees himself as a gadfly on the horse that is Athens. Gadflies are small, insignificant creatures which have a large impact on the subject of their stinging. They
Socrates traveled from one group to another visiting wise politicians, poets, and craftsmen, making enemies out of each group. After talking to the “wise” men Socrates realized they were all arrogant for thinking themselves wise. Because Socrates knew he was not wise he believed he was better off then them. In the end it was a representative from each group that charged Socrates with the crimes that got him condemned to death. This "occupation" consumed his leisure as well as his finances. Socrates told the court at his trail: "I live in great poverty because of my service to the god"(6). Socrates compared himself to a gadfly, and the city of Athens a steed he was just trying to stir into life (11). When a horsefly bites me I squash it, and that is exactly what the city of Athens did to Socrates. Instead of squashing him they made him drink poison, a little bit less messy. Socrates was a gadfly by questioning Athenians on subjects they rarely talked about, making them think about something they normally wouldn’t. He did his questioning out in the open where Athenians congregated so the public could observe and hopefully think on whatever subject that was being talked about. Socrates would question respectable Athenians making them look stupid too a crowd, because they would not know what to say. Making the person being questioned very angry towards Socrates for putting them in such a position. Socrates
The term “philosophy” means the love of wisdom, and those that study philosophy attempt to gain knowledge through rationality and reason. 1 Socrates, the father of ancient philosophy, once stated “the unexamined life is not worth living”. This is the most important part of life and it is need to find purpose and value in life. If a person chooses to live their life without examination, their life would lack value and they would be unhappy. They would also be ignorant to the effects of their choices on themselves and the people around them.
Philosophy, like all other studies, aims primarily at knowledge. The knowledge it aims at is the kind of knowledge which gives unity and system to the body of the science,
Philosophy can be described as a chance for person to undertake an opportunity to understand themselves, our world and society, and relations between ourselves and one another. Those who are able to study philosophy, can find out what is to be human, what kind of person is it good to be, and especially how are we to live a good life. I, myself, have had an opportunity to take a philosophy class and as my time in philosophy is starting to come to a close, I am suddenly realizing how Philosophy has changed the aspects and my outlook upon my life.
“All things in life are philosophical.” This is a well-known quote by the renowned Greek scientist/philosopher Aristotle. When one is to imagine life without thought, free will or knowledge, they are left to only imagine the oblivion they would be left to reside in. To me, philosophy is more than ethics, esthetics, and epistemology... it is the ability to stand ones ground with certain viewpoints, attitudes and beliefs.
According to Aristotle, philosophy is the study of fundamental nature of knowledge; it starts with wonder. Philosophy makes us ask specific question like “Why” why did this happen and how did it come to be. Philosophy had its origin in ancient Greece. Philosophy recognizes that everything is somehow connected.