Understanding the General Meaning of Philosophy, Methods, and Objectives

Kapanlagi.com - "Philosophy" is not a foreign concept to society in general. At least, someone has read or even quoted philosopher's words as motivation. But, what is the actual meaning of philosophy?

The discussion about the meaning of philosophy often becomes a discussion that seems difficult, high, and abstract. That impression or image sometimes makes philosophy seem far from life.

However, the meaning of philosophy is closely related to the daily life that you live. Philosophy is a theory that underlies the nature of the mind. Well, instead of feeling difficult to understand that, just read the full explanation in the following information.

1. The Meaning of Philosophy

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According to the Great Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), philosophy has several meanings. First, the meaning of philosophy is knowledge and investigation with reason regarding the essence of everything that exists, its causes, origins, and laws. Philosophy can also be interpreted as a theory that underlies the nature of the mind or an activity. In addition, philosophy can also be interpreted as a science that includes logic, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

In addition to the above meanings, the following are opinions from experts regarding philosophy.

1. Plato

According to Plato, philosophy is the science that seeks to achieve true knowledge.

2. Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant defines philosophy as the root of all knowledge. According to him, philosophy is divided into four groups: anthropology, metaphysics, religion, and ethics.

3. Johann Gotlich Fickte

According to Johann Gotlich Fickte, philosophy is the science that serves as the basis for all fields and knowledge used to seek truth.

4. Aristotle

According to Aristotle, philosophy is a science that contains truth. The elements of truth include economics, metaphysics, aesthetics, rhetoric, politics, and logic. Aristotle's philosophy is often referred to as the philosophy of beauty.

5. Paul Natorp

According to Paul Natorp, philosophy is the basic science used to determine the unity of knowledge that can be used to carry the whole and show the same end.

6. Bertrand Russell

According to Bertrand Russell, philosophy is a theology that contains various thoughts on definitive and uncertain issues. However, like science, philosophy can attract human thought compared to the authority of revelation and tradition.

Johann Gotlich Fickte

The definition of philosophy according to Johann Gotlich Fickte is a science that is the basis of all types of fields and knowledge used to seek truth.

4.Aristotle

Philosophy according to Aristotle is a science that contains truth. The elements in the truth include economics, metaphysics, aesthetics, rhetoric, politics, and also logic. The philosophy proposed by Aristotle is often referred to as the philosophy of beauty.

5.Paul Natorp

Philosophy according to Paul Natorp is a basic science used to determine the unity of knowledge that can be used to carry the whole and show the same end.

6.Bertrand Russel

According to Bertrand Russel, philosophy is a theology that contains various thoughts about problems that are definitive and cannot be determined. However, like science, philosophy can attract human thoughts when compared to the authority of revelation and tradition.

2. The General Purpose of Philosophy

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In addition to the meaning of philosophy, its purpose is also important to know. The study of philosophy can help you solve various problems in life. Here is information about the general purpose of philosophy that you can learn.

1. Making humans have a broad perspective in looking at things. With this, humans can have a broad view and can avoid egocentrism.

2. Can make humans have wise characteristics and can apply them in daily life.

3. Philosophy can encourage scientists to develop and delve deeper into scientific knowledge.

4. Making humans more willing to have their own opinions, independent in spiritual matters, think for themselves, and show critical thinking.

5. Making humans more capable of objectively judging various things around them. Thus, philosophy is expected to make humans more educated.

6. By studying philosophy, humans can also understand the development, progress of knowledge, and the history of its growth.

7. Making humans able to delve into the essence of science to its branches, making it easier to understand the nature of science and its sources and objectives.

8. Philosophy is useful for the world of education as a guide for students and teachers. Especially for distinguishing between scientific and non-scientific issues.

3. Philosophy Method

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After understanding the meaning and purpose of philosophy in general, it is reasonable for you to question about the method. Here is an explanation of the methods of philosophy from several famous philosophers due to their thinking.

1. Critical Method (Socrates and Plato) is an analysis of terms and opinions. This method explains beliefs and shows contradictions by asking questions, dialoguing, distinguishing, cleaning, eliminating, and rejecting so that the essence can be found in the end.

2. Scholastic Method (Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas) is deductive synthetic. This means that this method solves a problem with analysis and conclusions that start from general principles, then implemented to specific things or principles. This method starts from clear definitions and principles and then draws conclusions.

3. Intuitive Method (Plotinus and Bergson) uses intuitive ways and symbols to try to carry out intellectual purification together with moral purification to achieve clear thinking.

4. Geometric Method (Rene Descartes) is done by analyzing complex things to achieve intuition about simple essences, then deducing all other understandings mathematically.

5. Transcendental Method (Immanuel Kant) is one of the contextual theological approaches that states that reality is not something that "exists outside", but the true essence that is not visible immanently.

6. Empirical Method (Hobbes, Locke, Berkeley, and David Hume) is an experience that presents truth. This means that an understanding or idea will produce knowledge if it comes from experience.

7. Dialectical Method (Hegel and Mark) is done by following the dynamics of thought based on events in the universe and relying on dialectics, thesis, antithesis, and synthesis to achieve the essence of reality.

That is an explanation of the meaning of philosophy along with the goals and methods that you can learn to apply in daily life.

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