The Key Aspects of Philosophy - Essay Example

Philosophy No doubt, philosophy is one of the most complex humanities in the world of studies. Nevertheless, due to increasing pressure and demand to solve various problems wisely and amicably, the need to study philosophy cannot be ignored despite its complexity. Moreover, it is necessary for everyone in the community not only students and scholars to understand what philosophy is, as it makes up an essential part of day-to-day life. The term philosophy comes from the Greek community. The Greeks used the term philosophy to describe love and hunger for wisdom. Thus, most rational and wise thinkers among the Greek people were referred to as philosophers. According to Soccio, this group of people included both men and women who had wise of their decision-making and curious to know various things in life (2). As a result, their hunger for education and knowledge was unmatchable. Moreover, philosophy is also described by others as the beliefs and principles of various people in the society. Most people believe in a number of things that hugely impact their lives. As a result, these beliefs and practices shape their behaviors and decision-making process. Such people live by what they believe is right and ethical with respect to their perspective. The early philosophers in Greece were determined and curious to know various happenings in life. These people were primarily driven by their passion for education and the quest for knowledge of different things in life. As a result, philosophy impacted hugely on their lives and practices in the community (Soccio 2). Philosophers sought knowledge and understanding on different things just to empower themselves and become knowledgeable. Greed for money or material gain did not drive their quest for knowledge, but the desire to understand and be enlightened on numerous things in the society. As a result, most community members and the modern day generations refer to these philosophers as wisdom seeking amateurs. This name signifies their love, passion, and desire for knowledge without expecting material or financial gain. Many philosophers around the world ask various questions out of curiosity and desire to learn and understand numerous things in the society. Specific questions are frequently associated with philosophers’ quests hence they are referred to as philosophical questions. Although such issues are mainly associated with philosophers, ordinary people also seek to find answers to such questions due to their curiosity and urge to learn new things in the society. Nonetheless, asking philosophical questions does not automatically qualifies one as a philosopher (Soccio 2). Philosophers are characterized by rational decision-making skills and wisdom. Therefore, anyone aspiring to be a philosopher must possess these unique traits in the society. These features make such people valuable and command huge respect from the community members. In addition, there are numerous philosophical questions often asked by various philosophers. According to Soccio, they ask questions such as Does God exist, Why do innocent people suffer, or What is the meaning of life among others (2). Similarly, these questions also majorly concern the nature of reality, knowledge, justice, morality, and ethical practices in the community set up. Consequently, philosophy is a unique and valuable discipline that addresses issues neglected by various disciplines in the society. These issues serve to shape morality and behavioral practices in the society. Philosophy has numerous areas that deal with various things in the society. The first branch of philosophy is metaphysics. Metaphysics is an important branch of philosophy since it majorly focuses on questions of ultimate reality. Through this branch, philosophers raise numerous complex questions on reality. Thus, these questions involve complex issues such as personal immortality and nature of human beings in the modern society. A number of philosophers also use this opportunity to question the supernatural existence. As a result, this philosophical branch is beyond normal science due to the complexity and nature of questions it seeks to answer. Equally, epistemology is another important branch of philosophy. This branch is mainly essential to various people with a passion for knowledge. Epistemology seeks to answer questions on origin and nature of knowledge in the society (Soccio 4). In addition, it also determines whether knowledge is possible in the society or not. Although this branch is independent, most of its questions are universal and cut across some branches of philosophy. It has vital and complex questions that involve standard evidence, memory, and beliefs among others. Moreover, philosophy has another important branch known as ethics. This branch of philosophy is majorly concerned with moral practices and behaviors in the society. Through this branch, philosophers seek to determine what is wrong and right in the society. In addition, ethic has numerous theories that are helpful in guiding the decision-making process of society members on what is considered right or wrong. Consequently, in the modern day, ethical issues mainly include truth telling and universality among others in the community. Works Cited Soccio, Douglas. Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy. Cengage Learning, 2012.Print. Name Course Tutor Date Eudaimonia Various societies and individuals desire and love to have happy and jovial lives. As a result, Aristotle came up with a unique term to describe happiness. Aristotle used the term Eudaimonia to refer to happiness. Although the term was used to mean happiness, Aristotle also used Eudemonia to mean being alive and fully aware of the various happenings in the community (Soccio 176). As a result, community members in a state of eudaimonia are often joyful and full of life. Moreover, these members work extremely hard to remain in that state and enjoy life. Various athletes and individuals also always use their talents to achieve the state of eudemonia. The urge and desire to achieve this state is so high that members cannot be convinced otherwise by their compatriots. The need to achieve the state of eudemonia is strong in various individuals since every member of the society desires a joyful, comfortable, and happy life. Many people in the society always believe that the passion and desire to acquire wealth leads to eudaimonia. Aristotle disputes this claims, as he believes effort to acquire massive wealth are detrimental (Soccio 177). According to him, these efforts serve to limit people’s chances of being happy and leading joyful and comfortable lives. Equally important, Aristotle says that such people spend many long and stressful hours in search of wealth and miss various opportunities and activities that can easily make them happy. They concentrate more on making money and acquiring material possession than making friends and socializing with the rest of the community. Moreover, Aristotle claims it is common to see various rich people in the world leading sorrowful and unhappy lives. Thus, wealth is not a guarantee of happy and joyful life in this world. Further, Aristotle claims that fame and celebrity status does not make people happy. Conversely, he believes a quiet and self-sufficient life result in the happiness of an individual. According to Soccio, the ability to provide for oneself and one’s family gives an individual satisfaction that results in happiness, comfortable, and joyful life in the community set up (177). Moreover, it also makes individuals calm with peaceful and stress-free mind. Further, the lack of numerous bodyguards and public attention also increases an individual’s chances of being happy. As a result, people should be dependent and worry less about their security. They should also avoid limelight and celebrity life to enjoy fully and lead a joyful and exciting life. Moreover, Aristotle also believes a sociable life is also a source of happiness. To him, friends are important to human beings since they make them happy. In addition, he argues a life without friends is lonely and boring. As a result, people in the society should aim at having numerous friends and socialize with the rest of community members. Through these ways, they will be guaranteed a happy, stress-free, and exciting life in the community set up. The ‘golden mean’ refers to a dull life with rigid rules that limits individuals’ freedom and socialization in the society. Most of the people who adopt golden mean are afraid to take risks, and thus, play safe to avoid the harsh realities of life. Aristotle condemns such type of lifestyle since it makes lives dull and lonely. In addition, such lifestyles make people cowards and unambitious. In the end, such people limit their ability to develop and thoroughly enjoy a jovial and happy life. As a result, Aristotle encourages people to be risk takers and self-reliant. These two traits are essential to living a happy and prosperous life in the community set up. Moreover, such people will also be stress-free and rational thinkers due to the conducive environment they subject themselves. Golden mean limits individuals’ chances of being happy since it majorly emphasizes career related activities. These practices serve to limit happiness and socialization in the community set up. People who spend most of their time in pursuing their careers end up leading dull and lonely life. They spend most time in their workplaces or improving their careers as opposed to socializing and making friends in the society. For instance, researchers spend most of their time studying and less time socializing or making friends. According to them socializing and making friends is a waste of time. Moreover, human beings should not fully concentrate on their careers at the expense of their happiness. It compromises their chances of living an exciting and joyous life. On the contrary, human beings should partially concentrate on their work and give other leisure activities and socialization a significant amount of time. Socialization and leisure activities ensure reduced boredom and increased happiness in an individual’s life. Consequently, social activities and recreation are crucial to human beings. Works Cited Soccio, Douglas. Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy. Cengage Learning, 2012.Print. Read More