What is the Meaning of Philosophy in English? Explain Definition of Philosophy by Different Philosophers.
Back to: Philosophical Foundation of Education – Unit 1
From this module, the learner will be familiar with the terminology Philosophy. This module covers the origin and evolution of philosophy. Moreover, the learner will also be familiar with the names of four different philosophers and their definitions.
Meaning of Philosophy
Philosophy is a branch that revolves around includes questions like sureness of theories, qualification of being science, the purpose of science, and so on. It mainly questions the foundation, methods, and implications of science. The word Philosophy came out from the Greek language, Phiein Sophia which is a blend of two Greek words. The meaning of this Greek word is ‘love of wisdom’.
In today’s world, it is known as a large field of studies with numerous sub-branches. The study of philosophy is an ancient one, tracing its origins to the earliest civilizations on earth. People have been discussing philosophical questions throughout history and across cultures, using various forms of media as they examine issues such as what makes us human, the value of truth and knowledge, and whether free will exists. The field of philosophy thus represents a common thread for humanity through all ages. There are lots of philosophers from the early centuries; philosophers have devoted their lives to the exploration of the biggest questions, from ethics and society to art and culture. The major thinkers offer key insights into the nature of reality, morality, and humanity itself.
Definition of Philosophy by Different Philosophers
A lot of philosophers have defined this field in their own understanding and so, the definition put forward keeps on changing throughout the years. In this section, we will come across four definitions put forward by four different philosophers.
Plato
defined philosophy as the study of things universal, eternal, and immovable. This can be said to be the most general definition of philosophy because it includes all those who study such subjects as logic, mathematics, astronomy, ethics, and religion.
Aristotle
According to Aristotle states that philosophy is the study of nature. And philosophy is the search for truth and understanding through reason, science, ethics, and logic.
Brubacher & Henderson
Brubacher’s definition of it is more accurate than Henderson’s. Although both men were interested in science for advancements and its final effects, Brubacher saw philosophy as an attempt at figuring out how “nature” works, while Henderson saw philosophy as an attempt to figure out how nature works, and thus helped or hindered scientific progress. Both men believed that science was important in some way or other so they both defined science in their own way which leads to differing results or views on it. From these definitions by famous philosophers, we not only get an idea of the definition but also how the philosophy thought has evolved through the ages.
