PHILOSOPHY IS

The study of Reality underlying the phenomenal world. 

Philosophy is the study of ultimate Reality. We know this world with the help of our sense organs. We also know that many times our sense organs cannot provide the correct information. Philosophy aims at understanding the fundamental nature of reality behind our experiences. It inquires like such concepts as Matter, Self, God, Space, Time which are not known directly. Philosophy tries to know the essence of the worldly objects. All worldly objects seem to be appearances. They are glimpses of reality. Philosophy seeks the transcendental, Absolute reality behind these worldly objects. As the light changes the color of the objects too changes. The question arises ‘What is the true color of the objects?’ There must be something that exists, irrespective of all these variations. Philosophy aims at knowing the Reality which is expressed through different experiences.

A synoptic view

Philosophy is the most generalized knowledge. Different sciences deal with a specific portion of the universe. For example, Astronomy studies heavenly bodies, physics, and chemistry give knowledge about the compositions of material objects. Psychology deals with human and animal behavior.

Philosophy gives a general description of the whole universe. So it inquires into the nature of material objects (matter) as well as mental processes (mind). It studies the nature of matter, the self, the world, God, Space, Time, their interrelations, their meaning, and purposes.

Philosophy as the study of experience as a whole or a portion of experience with the whole. Philosophy aims at the systematization of different elements of this universe. It sketches the rational picture of the universe.

An unusually persistent attempt to think consistently

Philosophy is speculative. It does not assume anything. It questions all our experiences. Philosophy is an endless intellectual inquiry in the search for truth. If we go on asking the questions logically, we can arrive at the clear rational concept of the universe. Philosophy is the critical examination of our beliefs. This process eliminates many wrong vague, prejudiced notions. It also gives rise to many questions such as what is knowledge.

Harmonizes the conclusions of different sciences

Philosophy is a completely unified knowledge. Philosophy is an organic system. The principles of different sciences can be deduced from this organic, unified system. All the principles of different sciences must be harmonious with one another. Philosophy is the universal science that combines the general truths obtained in the special sciences into a self-consistent system.

The mother of all sciences.

Life is a struggle and knowledge is essential for survival. The search for knowledge resulted in the specialization of knowledge. As knowledge of a particular field became possible, it developed into a different science. Once, physics (natural philosophy), zoology, astronomy, psychology, all special sciences were included in philosophy. All modern sciences arose out of philosophy. So philosophy is called the mother of all sciences. Philosophy is also called as the science of sciences. Philosophy is the Queen of Sciences. The whole world is her subject matter.

Conceptual Analysis

Philosophy has nothing to do with transcendental ideas. It should concentrate on empirical experiences. All philosophical questions are questions about language. They arise due to ambiguity and vagueness of concepts like Mind, Matter, Truth, Good, Beauty, Nationality, Religion, Friendship, Love, etc. However, we do not know the precise meaning of these words. We fail to express these concepts in the proper language. When these concepts are interpreted in different ways, even the contrary theories may arise.

Even today the concepts of friendship and love are misinterpreted in society. That is why we read the news of offenses against women. A philosopher should help to reveal the clear, precise, and accurate meaning of the concepts. A philosopher has to simply uncover the correct knowledge which is already present in our mind. A philosopher does not create anything of his own. It is like the job of a midwife who does not create a child but helps the child to enter this world.



POST BY
AYUSH HEALTH AND WELLNESS™