Nature & Place in Society

Philosophy

Derived from Greek words "philia" meaning love and "sophia" meaning wisdom; literally means love of wisdom or knowledge.

Philosophy (Aristotle)

Thinking which aims at maximum connected truth about all available experience; explores connections of all accessible experience comprehensively.

Philosophy (Celestine Bittle)

Science of beings in their ultimate reasons, causes and principles acquired by the aid of human reason alone; based on knowledge not mere opinion, covers all apprehendable things, seeks ultimate causes and principles using reason only.

Philosophy (Harold Titus & Marilyn Smith)

Viewed in five ways: a personal attitude towards life and the universe, a method of reflective thinking and reasoned inquiry, an attempt to gain a view of the whole, the logical analysis of language and clarification of word meanings, and a group of problems plus theories about their solutions.

Science

A body of verified and systematized knowledge as well as a method of obtaining it; concerned with discovery of truth for practical application.

Philosophy and Science (Similarities)

Both based on knowledge, use rational and systematic method, exhibit critical-and-open-mindedness, persistence, respect for experience and reason, impartial concern for truth, and aim at organized systematized knowledge.

Philosophy and Science (Differences)

Science deals with restricted physical fields, describes parts objectively, eliminates personal factors and ignores values, observes and controls nature; philosophy deals with all human experience including conscience, justice, soul and God, views comprehensively, considers personality, value, worth and meaning, criticizes, evaluates and integrates life dimensions.

Function of Philosophy

Critical examination of premises and conclusions of sciences, synthesis of findings into comprehensive understanding, harmonizing conflicting results among sciences, and guiding individual and social thought and decision.

Philosophy (C.D. Broad, 1923)

Takes over results of various sciences, adds religious and ethical experiences, reflects upon the whole to reach conclusions about the universe and human position in it.

Society (Webster)

An enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another.

Society (Sociologists)

Broadest grouping of people sharing common habits, ideals and attitudes, living in a definite territory, and considering themselves a social unit.

Philosophy and Society

Philosophy is a guide to life (Brightman); emerges from social interaction as shared principles that guide conduct and collective goals; shapes habits, attitudes, ideals and values through social exchange.

Philosophy (Pythagoras)

Seeks knowledge for its own sake apart from practical gain or usefulness; has intrinsic value like fine arts.

Value of Philosophy

Broadens understanding, provides self-knowledge and perspective, guides life decisions, offers professional and ethical foundation, develops personal philosophy, and strengthens critical thinking against mental servitude.

Philosophy (J.A. Nicholson, 1953)

Widens intellectual horizon, deepens understanding and sympathy, frees thought from conventional custom, and enables full functioning of the life of the spirit.

Philosophy (D.J. Sullivan, 1957)

One either philosophizes openly and critically or unconsciously and uncritically; to be consciously aware prevents becoming victim of hidden philosophy.

Philosophy (Raymond McCall, 1991)

The thinking man cannot choose whether to philosophize, only whether to do it critically or naively.

Philosophy (Steven Cahn)

Provides understanding that resists dogmatic control; serves as bulwark against mental servitude and framework for intelligent thought and action.

Attitude Toward Philosophy

Four common criticisms: too difficult to understand, impractical, no progress due to disagreement, and critical examination harms social order; all are refuted as disagreement stimulates thought, abstract thinking develops intellect, and sound principles withstand scrutiny.

Liberal Education

Philosophy provides means to systematize, assimilate and evaluate large amounts of knowledge; essential part of student development.

Philia

Greek word meaning love.

Sophia

Greek word meaning wisdom or knowledge.

Proximate Cause

Immediate or direct cause studied by particular sciences.

Ultimate Cause

Final or fundamental cause sought by philosophy.

Rational Inquiry

Method using human reason alone without reliance on faith or divine authority.

Critical Function

Philosophy examines and verifies assumptions and conclusions made by sciences and individuals.

Synthetic Function

Philosophy combines partial findings into a comprehensive view of reality.

Harmonizing Function

Philosophy resolves contradictions and brings sciences into complementary relationship.

Personal Philosophy

Individual framework of beliefs and values developed through reflection to guide decisions and actions.

Ideals

Vision of excellence or purpose that guides action beyond material possession.

Ideas

Foundation of action; as important as facts in investigation and progress.