Related questions:
- Discuss the problem of definition in philosophy.
- Why does philosophy not have a universal definition?
- What is philosophy? Evaluate some definitions of philosophy.
INTRODUCTION
The difficulty of getting one encompassing definition of philosophy confirms the realness of it as a discipline and branch of human knowledge as it entails arguments of various philosophers; of which these arguments are products of their reflective thinking. The disagreement among philosophers about the nature of philosophy is also subtle part of philosophy because every definition of philosophy must be criticized. Therefore, philosophy has no definition. But, does this mean philosophy cannot be defined?
THE PROBLEM OF DEFINITION
Foundationally, philosophy has a definition problem. What this implies is that, philosophy does not have "a" definition. This problem is due to the partisan character and varying conceptual worldviews of all philosophers. In simpler words, philosophers do not agree on anything and everything which concerns philosophy. This is not just a stylish trend, but is due to five elements which are era, culture, school of thought, area of perspective and ambition. A very close look at these five elements would unravel the mystery behind the disagreement amongst philosophers. However, the situation is not that bad, as there are efforts to check this definition problem. Hence, in order to put an end, although temporarily, to the controversy of definition amongst philosophers, some “consensus definitions” which would serve as an easy stop in an effort to define philosophy efficiently, has been developed. But, before then, we would initially like to highlight several controversial definitions and conceptions (altogether) of philosophy, which have been given and supported by various philosophers (from about its inception till contemporary times).
CONTROVERSIAL DEFINITIONS OF PHILOSOPHY BY SOME PHILOSOPHERS
Regarding controversial definitions of philosophy, there are uncountable numbers. Thus, it is not possible to give them all. So, a few of them are highlighted next;· The pre-Socratic philosophers
Philosophy is a speculative cosmology whose focus was the search for the primary stuff or organizing principle of the universe.
· Parmenides
Philosophy is the study of being, regardless of its special, particular, transient modifications.
· Socrates
Philosophy is the self reflection of the mind in form of conceptual thought.
· Plato
Philosophy is the acquisition of knowledge.
· Aristotle
Philosophy is the knowledge of essence in itself, or of the essence of all that exists.
· Immanuel Kant
Philosophy is a doctrine of the absolute boundaries of all possible knowledge.
· The Logical Positivists
Philosophy is the study of cognition.
· Wilhelm Windelband
Philosophy is the science of normal consciousness.
· Hegel
Philosophy is that which grasps its own era (time or age) in thought.
· Karl Marx
Philosophy is an interpretation of the world in order to change it.
· Nietzsche
Philosophy is to grasp the limits of reason.
· George Berkeley
Philosophy is the study of wisdom and truth.
· Cicero
Philosophy is the teacher of life, the discoverer of laws and the guide to every virtue.
· Seneca
Philosophy is the theory and art of the correct conduct of life.
· Engels and Lenin
Philosophy is the science of the general laws of being (nature and society).
· The analytical philosophers
Philosophy is the clarification of scientific terms, language, and the analysis of concepts.
Now that some controversial definitions and conceptions of philosophy have been highlighted, we would then progress to the solution. As earlier said, some consensus definitions of philosophy, which serve as efforts to put the definition problem of philosophy into perspective have been developed. These definitions stylishly encompass and touch on every area of philosophy; and they are presented next.
"THE" DEFINITIONS OF PHILOSOPHY
There are "eight" consensus definitions of philosophy. These should be consulted whenever the need to define philosophy arises. They are;
i. Philosophy as the love of wisdom.
ii. Philosophy as the search for reality.
iii. Philosophy as the search for truth.
iv. Philosophy as the search for value or the best forms of life.
v. Philosophy as the rational study of nature.
vi. Philosophy as the critical discussion of received ideas.
vii. Philosophy as the concern with the problems of human existence.
viii. Philosophy as a reflection on human experience.
i. Philosophy as the love of wisdom
This definition represents the etymological definition of philosophy. Philosophy was formed from the two Greek words of "Philein" and "Sophia". The former means “love” while the latter means “wisdom”; so together, they construct the etymology of philosophy, "love of wisdom". However, it is noteworthy to emphasize that this definition of philosophy which is the most appropriate of all, was coined by “Pythagoras”, a pre-Socratic philosopher who postulated “numbers” as the unifying principle of the universe. This definition expresses the craving and desire of the philosopher to want to discover the right application of knowledge.
ii. Philosophy as the search for reality
This definition draws its potency from, and is related to “metaphysics”- a major branch of philosophy. It emphasizes the role of the philosopher in discovering the principles of life and existence, as well as transcendence i.e. going beyond the natural.
iii. Philosophy as the search for truth
This definition is the representation of “epistemology” in philosophy as one of its main branches. It emphasizes the continuous drive of the philosopher in his quest for knowledge and truth; as well as the principles and presuppositions guiding their operation.
iv. Philosophy as the search for value or the best forms of life
This definition falls within the domain of “ethics”-the third major branch of philosophy. It shows what the moral philosopher aims at achieving within human society and how he intends to create stability in an unstable world.
v. Philosophy as the rational study of nature
This definition is an emphasis on the cosmological speculation by the pre-Socratic philosophers of ancient Greek tradition. This very act of propounding what the primordial substance or unifying principle of the universe could be, was what pioneered the dawn of the philosophical enterprise in about 600B.C. by Thales.
vi. Philosophy as the critical discussion of received ideas
This definition which represents “dialectical argumentation” as a major part of the nature of philosophy was introduced by “Plato”- a contemporary of Socrates. Together, dialectics is an important concept in both their philosophies; the act of question and answer that is rigorous and critical. This was their way of discovering deep rooted truths. This definition appraises “logic” as a tool of philosophy.
vii. Philosophy as the concern with the problems of human existence
This definition is an expression of the effort of philosophers in their journey of wanting to transform and change the world, by solving the numerous problems of human existence. They try to do this by prescribing norms and viable theories, which when applied, are positioned in the direction of changing the world positively; thus solving the problems of existence. “Karl Marx” is an advocate of this philosophical definition.
viii. Philosophy as a reflection on human experience
This definition which is very relevant and prominent in ancient Chinese and Indian philosophies, asserts the fact that one’s life experiences will invariably affect one’s philosophy about life. A turbulent life experience like poverty, for example, will tend to make one advocate ideologies that can curb such, in people’s lives in general.
CONCLUSION
The basic issues surrounding the problem of definition in philosophy have been properly evaluated. The controversy of definitions caused by the “five elements”, led to the creation of eight consensus definitions of philosophy; which act as a one stop for defining philosophy appropriately.
