NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY

NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY

Nature of philosophy is discussed below:

Philosophy as an activity: Levison states that “philosophy is first of all an activity of a certain kind and only secondarily a subject matter consisting of definite body of literature.” In its real sense, philosophy is a mental activity, involving the problems of human life, its nature and purpose.

Philosophy as speculation: “Since the earliest of recorded history, individuals have speculated about the nature of reality and of meaning of life itself.” In doing so, these persons have dealt with one of the most basic but also most pervasive concerns of human existence. The history of philosophy records the efforts of ancient Indian thinkers like the vedic seers and sages, Sankara, Aristotle, Locke, Kant, Dewey and others. These philosophers and many others have speculated about the nature of reality. When they recounted or recorded their speculations, they attempted to describe the nature of reality. Based upon their insight into reality, philosophers have also sought to prescribe values and ideals.

Philosophy as a way of life: The derivation of the word states that philosophy means love of wisdom. Wisdom is regarded as knowledge for the conduct of life and philosophy is valued as a way of life. Everyone in his life thinks about the existence, about nature of world, God, his relation to his environment of things and people. During the course he develops genuine philosophy of life and tries to live in accordance with it. Thus philosophy becomes a way of life.