What is Philosophy - Assignment Example

What is Philosophy?  Philosophy is the study and understanding of all things under the light and scope of reason Which of the philosophical issues covered this semester has been the most important and why so?  Among all the various philosophical issues that have been covered this semester, I consider Ethics as the most important. While the study of Metaphysics and Epistemology are the core important issues in philosophy, Ethics is considered an issue that is close to the daily problems that people deal with, and that is a matter that should not be overlooked. Many times it has been the case that those who study and practice philosophy tend to focus too much on the subject of the logos and telos, while overlooking the value of ethos. Ethical issues are always constant, and it is a pressing matter in life than trying to figure the existence of reality. 2.) Which of the philosophical issues covered this semester has meant anything to you personally and why so?  The issue of Ethics still has a more personal value among the other philosophical issues covered this semester. The reason behind this is that knowing how to live and maintain conduct in daily activities has a greater relevance to life than trying to understand the nature of existence or the origin of knowledge. When one walks into a public square or market these days, it is not like people will be easily fascinated or even interested to know anything about Metaphysics or Epistemology. People in general do not take seriously the question of what reality is or the purpose of existence. People in general would prefer and pay more attention with how they deal with various activities and problems throughout daily living. The choice of ethics then is a pragmatic choice, as much as it is a personal preference. 3.) Why do you think that the philosophical issues this course has covered have been issues and have remained issues for so long?  Philosophical issues started because of humanity’s wonder for existence, the meaning of life, and the proof of reality. It is to no surprise that when the first philosophers began theorizing and speculating these different issues, it was a curious and inquisitive sense led by the motivation and desire to know more that drove these men of intellect to study even further about what are the things that really matter, how things happened, or why things are done. Eventually, philosophy helped bring about the study of different specialized fields of learning and knowledge, such as the life sciences and physical sciences. Despite all this, philosophical issues have remained as issues throughout the years due to the very reason why it started. The desire to know more and keeping an innate sense of curious wonder are the reasons why philosophical issues have never been fully settled and concluded. Humanity will never grow idle or contented with what they have learned and find, and will always want to know if there is more out there in this life and reality. Humanity’s insatiable desire for knowledge is boundless as much as its capacity to reason out intellectually. The only limitations that cannot be avoided are the fact of mortality and the further need in technological advancement. 4.) Why do you think these issues have been associated with Philosophy and not some other discipline?  The issues have been associated with philosophy because philosophy is the root study of all the other various knowledge disciplines. All of the various fields of study have its origins and influences from philosophy. These various disciplines, however, focus more on their specific area of study that it loses its sight on philosophical issues. Philosophy, on the other hand, branches out in understanding the various perspectives of knowledge while trying to maintain its philosophical nature. This philosophical nature is to see things through the light of rationality, and that to understand the nature of things requires a mind to be more open to things. 5.) Why is it that most of these issues have not been evident as issues in our contemporary culture? Why are not more people aware of these troublesome questions, issues or problems?  The reasons as to why philosophical issues are not evident in today’s contemporary culture are due to two factors. The first factor is that the advancement in the sciences, especially physics and astronomy, has challenged and replaced philosophy as the intellectual authority in understanding the world, reality, and the universe. Ethics has been taken as part of the social sciences and permeated with its various fields of study. This paradigm shift started by the advent of the 20th century, when the changes and improvements made by science caught the attention of people in general from all walks of life, and sparked a larger interest to the sciences than philosophy. In the eyes of people, science and technology were more of a relevant help than philosophy in having to deal with life by giving exact and precise answers to problems and providing convenient, tangible and practical aid. The only thing philosophy could do by then was just to merely give theories and lectures. The second reason why philosophical issues are not evident in today’s contemporary culture is from the study of philosophy itself. It has been far too often in contemporary times that most professors, student or practicing philosophers would treat the study of philosophy as an exclusive field of study in which only those who understand or is willing to understand philosophy are the members. It does not also help that many followers of philosophical thinking believe that philosophy should remain pure to its core studies, such as Metaphysics, Epistemology or Logic, and not veer into any involvement with other fields like those into the social sciences. The image of this would be like philosophers and philosophies remain in some really tall white ivory tower that goes around seeking knowledge while ignoring the affairs of daily life. This seemingly elitist and aloof attitude isolates philosophy from people; and will remain unknown, therefore making people pay little attention to philosophy in general. 6.) Why were not you more aware of these philosophical issues than you were at the start of this course?  Personal limited awareness towards the different philosophical issues are largely due to the lack of exposure philosophy has to society. Philosophy is not considered one of the most popular fields of learning because people in general do not see the relevance of it upon first impression, and even beyond the first impression. Philosophy is not a subject that is taught and integrated in the educational system in high schools, perhaps with the small exception for logic. Today’s society places a higher premium on studies that either involves applied sciences or studies that are closer to practical necessities such as business management. For many people in society, philosophy is just a leisurely course for the whim of those wanting to know things. At best, students study philosophy merely as a stepping-stone to higher studies. It was only until undergoing the course that there is more to that general assumption. 7.) Now that you have been educated as to these issues in Philosophy, in what way will they have any consequence in your life? Philosophy will definitely have a personal effect, whether it be a positive or a negative one. Philosophy was meant to help people understand the way things are in a more rational and wise manner. In this way, philosophy becomes relevant to life because all such learning has a way to be applied daily. In the case of the philosophical issue of ethics, for example, one can learn and understand how to conduct or behave himself or herself with others. Ethics is a philosophical issue that can, and needs, to be applied in practical situations for it to be relevant. Personally, philosophy will always have a consequence to the people who study it seriously because it is always about the molding and shaping of ideas in a person. How the person will take it is entirely up to the self. Read More