NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY

The word “philosophy” might not be new to you anymore. You

might probably have heard about this in newspapers and
fiction books you read. What is then the deeper meaning of
“philosophy?”

Philosophy is defined as follows:

1. Method used in search for the answer about the origin
of all things (Thales, Anaximenes, Anaximander, Heraclitus)
This definition of “philosophy” originated from the common
thoughts or arguments of the ancient philosophers like
Thales, Anaximenes, Anaximander, and Heraclitus. The
ancient philosophers are concerned about the origin of
anything in the physical environment that we have like moon,
stars, single celled organisms, multicellular organisms (which
includes man), etc. Also, they are concerned with the very
existence of human beings. These philosophers had a quest
for knowledge and truths about the physical world and human
existence. They posted intelligent meaningful questions which
they tried to find answers through gathering facts or
evidences. Posting meaningful questions is the very nature of
philosophy. This is the very reason on why it was defined as a
method used in search for answer about the origin of all
things.
2. Significant in pondering rational explanations about
the doctrine of faith (Medieval Philosophers like St.
Thomas, St. Augustine)
This definition of “philosophy” originated from the common
thoughts or arguments of the Medieval Philosophers like the
famous St. Thomas and St. Augustine. They have seen the
significance of philosophy in pondering on the rational
explanations or reasonable explanations about the teaching
of our faith. This could be seen in the thought of St. Thomas.
He came up with the truth “man is created before God’s
image.” The meaningful question of Medieval philosophers
like him about human existence clearly shows that they are in
the quest for truths regarding man’s faith. They attribute the
meaning of human nature to faith, which is to a Supreme
Being.
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3. Used in intensifying the foundations of all branches
of science (Rene Descartes)
This definition of “philosophy” originated from the common
thoughts or arguments of some modern philosophers like the
famous Rene Descartes. Looking deeper into the meaning, if
philosophy intensifies the basis of all branches of science (be
it physical science or natural science or social science)
without philosophy these branches of science will not grow
stunting its development. Why? The reason is based on the
nature of philosophy, the concern for creating meaningful
questions and arrive at answers or truths. In all academic
fields, scholars in the field conducting researches regarding
human existence or things in this world, come up with
meaningful questions. Then they would gather evidences and
facts to answer their questions, arriving at the truth about
human existence or things in this world. This importance of
philosophy in the branches of science makes it the “parent
science.” Actually, branches of sciences like sociology,
psychology, economics, political science, anthropology,
history in social science or soft science or botany, zoology,
biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics in hard science
originated from philosophy or philosophizing activities of the
great philosophers in the past.

4. ETYMOLOGICAL DEFINITION -came from Greek words

“philein” or “philla” which means “love” and “sophia” which
means “knowledge” or “wisdom”
(The definition above originated from the books of Dennis V.
Tubo, “Existential-Phenomenological Approach,” and
Francisco M. Zulueta et al., “Philosophy Made Easy.”) Tubo
said the word philosophy came from two Greek words,
“philein” which means love and “sophia” which means
wisdom. On the other hand, Zuleta said that the word came
from two Greek words “philla” which means love and “sophia”
which means wisdom. They presented two different Greek
words as origin of the “love” meaning in the word
“philosophy.” Taking the whole meaning of the Greek words,
philosophy is “love of wisdom or knowledge.”

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Wisdom and knowledge are meaning of one of the Greek
words where the word philosophy originated. Are these words
similar or different with each other?

WISDOM -good and right practical application of knowledge

-deeper than knowledge
 involves understanding the implications of that knowledge
and its uses with the thought of how it could be beneficial
for one self and others
 not measured by the degree of knowledge learned
 Wisdom is the good and right application of knowledge. If
knowledge you got in schools or books or exposures
about computers (for computer majors), about caring for
the sick and curing the sick (for nursing and medicine
majors), about creating computer machines or mechanical
objects (for engineers) is not applied to improve your self
or your society or humanity, then, you are not people with
wisdom or you are not wise people.

KNOWLEDGE
 what we gained basically from experience fed by our
senses
 Knowledge is the facts you gain through the use of your
senses like sense of touch, sense of smell, sense of
hearing, and sense of eyesight. If you are not going to
apply this knowledge to improve or benefit your life or
other people’s lives, then, you are only a knowledgeable
person. Hence, you can be knowledgeable about things
but not wise.
5. Generally, philosophy is an endeavor of finding for
truth by means of reason
This definition is related to the discussed etymological
definition of the word and related to the previous definitions.
Philosophers create meaningful questions as search for truth
regarding human existence, human experiences, things that
can be reached by the mind but could not be grasped by our
senses like belief about God or Supernatural Beings, and
anything in the physical world. For example, good teachers in
college treated like a daily wage workers in a construction
company or garment factory would ask, “Why do they devalue
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us in school?” “Do we have to leave the school and the
students to find a better humane working atmosphere?”

6. A science that discusses all things through the use of

reason (Aristotle) How did Aristotle defined “reason”?
Reason is defined as follows:
a. a faculty that differentiate human beings from brutes
We are different from other animals or living creatures in
this world because of our faculty of reason.

b. mental activity that enticed one to investigate some

facts and eventually arrive to a conclusion
Reason is an exercise and nature of human mind. Human
mind was created to think, search for explanations and
truth about anything that the mind can think of making
humans different from brutes.

7. A field whereby question is more important than the

answers (Karl Jaspers-1883-1968)
This definition of “philosophy” is telling that it is not bad and
abnormal if a philosopher or scholar or layman has questions
that had no answers. Because questions are more important
in philosophy than answers to them (Jaspers). In Philosophy,
an individual that came up with answers to his/her question is
not contended on having the answer to his/her question. This
individual would create another question or set of questions.
Also, in the process of quest for truth the mind exercise its
nature which is reason that makes man rational beings and
different from lower forms of animals or brutes.

8. A science of all things in their ultimate cause through

the aid of human reason alone
It is a science because it is a body of knowledge based on
facts. The quest for truth resulting to knowledge or wisdom is
not done on the basis of hunches, assumptions, educated
guess or hypothesis. It is based on gathering evidences or
facts to arrive at an answer to the meaningful question.

Everything that is studied in philosophy is supported by

evidence that makes it a science. The meaning tells that
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philosophy covers all things that the human mind can
understand because the objective of philosophizing is
the attainment of truth.

How can one arrive at truth?

Different Questions That Would Lead To Truth:
a What is this?
This question investigates the formal cause. It points the
truth of the nature of a thing. In application, an individual
can come up with the truth about the pen by asking, “What
is a pen?”
b. What is it for?
This question investigates the ultimate cause or final
cause. All things have their end/ purpose. In application,
the individual that wanted to know about the pen can have
greater understanding about the pen by asking, “What
makes a pen a pen and not a stick?”
c. What is it made of?
This question talks about the natural truth. In application,
the individual wanting to know greater about pen after
coming up truths in the two questions asked previously
can ask, “What compose a pen that makes it different from
a stick?”
d. Who made it?
This question talks about the efficient cause. In
application, the individual wanting to know more about a
pen can ask, “Who made a pen and who made a stick?”

Philosophy is a very interesting subject but difficult to

understand, according to most students of philosophy.
You are now confronted with the question, “Do you want
to fully understand what Philosophy is?” According to
Feriols (1979),”if you want to fully understand what
philosophy is, learn to practice it.” Why? Because
philosophy provides explanations.

The question that follows is, HOW CAN PHILOSOPHY

PROVIDE ENOUGH EXPLANATION? Philosophy can do this
in the following ways:
a. Start wondering about the things around you
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 b. Start questioning How can one arrive to a meaningful
question?

MEANINGFUL QUESTION:
There are two characteristics of a meaningful question.
1. Touches the very core of the person
2. Ask “hows” and “whys”
We come up with questions in a specific situations or
experiences we are having at a moment. These questions
bother us and make us depressed. These questions are
called metaphysical problem.

What is a metaphysical problem?

Metaphysical problem is a difficult problem arising from a
situation that forces a person because of some sort of affinity
to be involved in the very situation of seeking for an answer.
For example, in the situation of an adopted child, the child will
ask himself/ herself metaphysical questions: Who are my true
parents? Why did I grow up in the custody of other people?
These questions are metaphysical problems of an adopted
child in the situation he/ she was thrown. There are
metaphysical problems that are hard to solve because they
are beyond the realm of our senses. In unforgettable situation
or in situations where one is confronted with metaphysical
problem, one will try his/her very best to find the “light” or
“insight” that will ease his/ her mind and heart from the
depressing metaphysical problems.

Insight/ light can be acquired through reflection.

REFLECTION -a way of looking into own mind and affirming

what has been discovered -a way of viewing things in an
objective manner

Ways to Find Insight:

1. Sayings
2. Stories

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9. An attitude toward certain activities -This definition
means that the way we act in specific situations reflects
our philosophy in life.

CONCLUSION
a. Ability of the mind to see what the eyes cannot see
b. Search for meaning
c. Endless search for value and purpose for which
everything must be directed to (including life)

REFERENCE
1. F. M. Zulueta, N. E. B. Costales, Jr., & A. S. Luaton
(2000). Philosophy Made Easy.
2. D. V. Tubo (2005). Philosophy of Man: Existential-
Phenomenological Approach.

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