What is Philosophy?

Etymology of Philosophy

Philosophy is the rational, abstract, and methodical study of reality as a whole or of the essential aspects of human existence and experience. The word comes from Greek via Latin, philosophia, which means “love of wisdom.” A key aspect of the intellectual history of many civilizations is philosophical investigation.

Philosophy is an approach to thinking about a variety of topics, including existence, ethics, meaning, and value. The four Rs of that “way of thinking” are reevaluation, reason, reflection, and response. Increasing understanding is the goal. It is hoped that studying philosophy will help us become more intelligent thinkers and wise decision-makers, which will enhance the quality of our lives in general.

Philosophy Definition, Meaning, Branches & History

The term Philosophy means “love of wisdom.” Philosophy, in its broadest meaning, is the study of understanding basic truths about oneself, the world around them, and one’s place in it as well as in interactions with others. Philosophy is similar to an academic discipline in many ways. Philosophy students are constantly posing, responding to, and debating the most fundamental problems of life. In academic philosophy, key fields of study are generally separated to facilitate a more systematic exploration of the subject.