What Is Philosophy

What is Philosophy?

Philosophy, according to Webster's 21st Century Dictionary is the study of the fundamental truths of life and the universe. In essence, philosophy is the search for the answer to the following questions as they apply to life and our universe; Why? Could there be? Is there? Was there? Will there ever be? The previous listed questions have no clear or obvious answer that is acceptable to all mankind. Unlike scientific hypothesis there is not usually any tangible evidence to prove one philosophy more correct than another. Simply put, philosophy is the search for knowledge. This paper will define the major divisions of philosophy; metaphysics, epistemology, questions related to values and correct reasoning.

Metaphysics

Metaphysics, or questions related to being or existence, explore the depths of why and how people are who and what they are. Is there a greater power, if so who or what is it? Everyone has been a philosopher in this respect at one time or another. The nature of human beings is to explore this question. If one chooses to believe in evolution this question is somewhat scientific. However, the question of what was the first organism and how was it created still lingers? If the preceding question is answered then one could pose the question what created the organism that created or caused that organism to become. How did something come from nothing? What is nothing? This division of philosophy could be never ending.

Epistemology

Epistemology, questions related to knowledge ponder the very existence of knowledge. What is knowledge, can it be measured, and is there a point that can be reached where no more knowledge will be available? Questions such as these have no scientific answer. There is not a test or experiment that can be done to prove or disprove any philosophy regarding this matter. A question that would fall into this area of philosophy would be; can one person ever really know another person? This is a question that can never be answered with absolute certainty. Humans are such mysterious creatures that it is not always possible to determine how one will react under any given circumstance until faced with it.

Questions Related to Values

Morale philosophy, ethics, is a topic to which individual opinions vary vastly. What may be morally unacceptable to one may be completely acceptable to another. Hot topics that fall under this heading would include; abortion, right to life, suicide, drinking, smoking and drugs. One might feel that marijuana is a natural plant that comes from the earth and should be legalized for use, while another would think that it alters one's mind and is immoral.

Social philosophy, the study of society and its institutions, is a common topic around most water coolers. This philosophical question seems to spark debate among those of different financial backgrounds. Most often those that are