PHILOSOPHY, the Love of Wisdom
Unfortunately, given the fact the term Philosophy is so complex and controversial it is also misunderstood. Even though the continually changing field of philosophy can’t be precisely defined, it is concerned with discovering truth and knowledge about the basic value and importance of life. The word philosophy from the Greek φιλοσοφία (φίλος philo, σοφία sophy) philosophia, translates as love of wisdom.
Commencing from awe and wonder, philosophy arises from curiosity and desire to know and understand the world we live in. Essentially the study of philosophy is continually seeking to understand the mysteries of existence and reality surrounding us. Through a process of analysis, criticism, interpretation, and speculation, it examines relationships between individuals and society, and between humanity and nature.
Philosophy is a method instead of a set of claims, propositions, or theories. Even though there are varied views of the nature, methods, and range, simply put philosophy is a form of inquiry. Each era has asked different questions pertinent to their society. Some of the questions philosophy asks include how to live (ethics), what exists and their essential natures (metaphysics), what is genuine knowledge (epistemology), what are the correct principles of reasoning (logic), what are the principles of art and beauty (aesthetics), and what makes a government legitimate (political philosophy).