The very question sounds philosophical, doesn’t it? But what exactly does that mean? What is philosophy?
The word philosophy means “love of wisdom.” Indeed, it is a love of wisdom that guides philosophers to explore the fundamental questions about who we are and why we’re here. On the surface, philosophy is a social science. But as you read this book, you’ll discover that it is so much more than that. Philosophy touches on every subject you could possibly think of. It’s not just a bunch of old Greek guys asking each other questions over and over again (though it has its fair share of that as well). Philosophy has very real applications; from the ethical questions raised in government policy to the logic forms required in computer programming, everything has its roots in philosophy.
Through philosophy, we are able to explore concepts like the meaning of life, knowledge, morality, reality, the existence of God, consciousness, politics, religion, economics, art, linguistics—philosophy has no bounds!
In a very broad sense, there are six major themes philosophy touches on:
- Metaphysics: The study of the universe and reality
- Logic: How to create a valid argument
- Epistemology: The study of knowledge and how We acquire knowledge
- Aesthetics: The study of art and beauty
- Politics: The study of political rights, government, and the role of citizens
- Ethics: The study of morality and how one should live his life
If you’ve ever thought, “Oh, philosophy. I’ll never be able to understand that stuff,” then fear not. This is the crash course in philosophy that you’ve always wanted. Finally, you’ll be able to open your mind without making your eyes bleed.
