the word "Philosophy" comes from the Geek, philosophia. philos : to love, sophia : wisdom. so it literally means "love of wisdom". sounds sweet? it does! we learn philosophy means we learn to love <3<3
Philosophy is the pursuit of mental excellence. Why? How? First,
let's take a look at the characteristics of philosophy,
1.
Holistic-Integralistic
Not partial. It sees everything comprehensively
and integrates many branches of knowledge and science.
2.
Inclusive
Not exclusive. It learns everything in broadly
covers.
3.
Synoptic
It sees the essence of science not only from
the point of view of the science itself but also from contexts of other
science.
4.
Radical (fundamental)
It learns deeply the essence to the root. It
doesn’t easily accept the science is true. It learns to the basic of the
knowledge.
5.
Speculative (not absolute)
The truth is temporary. It begins with
speculative start point that can possibly be the end point. Like a circle we
don’t know how to choose the right point to begin with. It’s all just
speculation.
6.
Critical Reflective
It is critical to the values. It’s not only
learns the symptoms but also what lies behind it.
There are two kinds of philosophy, Process and Product. Process is
when philosophy is regarded as science that still processing. The existence as
process is called Genetivus Objectivus.
Meanwhile product is when philosophy becomes way of life. The existence has been
fixed as product and called Genetivus
Subjectivus. Whenever the process stops, it turns to be a product.
Thales (624-547 BC) was being asked what is difficult and he
replied, ”To know oneself.” He believed that the origin of everything is water.
Pythagoras (572-497 BC) answered the origin of everything is numbers. So as we
can see, those first philosophers have many different ideas of the origin of
everything and life itself. We can believe in one thing but we will never know
for sure, is what we believe really the ultimate truth? :)
I love to quote from Heraclitus, he said,
“No man
ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s no the
same man.”
I found it really interesting. It is so deep. It emphasized the
statement that the only thing constant is CHANGE, everything flows!
Object of philosophy:
-
Material: everything that exists or maybe possible
-
Formal: all characteristics -> profound contemplation
When we observe something, we (as the observers) have a gap to the
object (observed). We also observe one thing differently depends on our point
of views. When we learn something
exact, we don’t actually learn it objectively, it is the consensus
inter-subjectively. There is no objective knowledge because the ultimate truth
only comes from the object and the object itself doesn’t tell us anything but
the symptoms we got from it. So it is not objective knowledge but consensus
inter-subjective knowledge for it’s all just a matter of interpretation.
Branches of philosophy:
1.
Metaphysics/ ontology (discussing science of being)
- Teleologia (God’s being)
- Cosmologia (Universe’s being)
- Antropologia (Human’s being)
2.
Axiology (discussing values)
- Ethics (morality and behaviors)
- Aesthetics (beauty)
3.
Epistemology (philosophy of knowledge discussing from where and how,
the characteristics and ways of knowledge)
- Philosophy of Science
- Methodology
- Logics
In every period, there is the main issue on each. The periodic time
of western philosophy is divided into 4 periods:
1.
Ancient Greek Era – Cosmocentricism,
the main issue is the Universe.
2.
Middle Age Era – Theocentricism,
the main issue is the God or abstract supernatural.
3.
Modern Era – Anthropocentricism,
the main issue is human.
4.
Contemporary Era – Logocentricsm,
the main issue is logic.
Learning philosophy would also lead us to many theories and
paradigms. What is paradigm? According to Thomas Kuhn (1922-1996): “Paradigm is
universally recognized scientific achievements that for a time provide model
problems and solutions to a community of practitioners.”
The sociological aspect really affects the changing of paradigm
because if it is not universally recognized and accepted then the paradigm will
change into a new one.
The current paradigm may not be the ultimate truth. We never know
because life is flowing. What you believe right now, right here, may become
wrong later and there. We hold on one paradigm, we take everything in according
to normal. Suddenly anomalies occur and if the old theory
cannot survive, it brings us to revolution
into the new paradigm so on and on.
It doesn’t mean we’d better stop looking and seeking for the truth,
it actually took us to constantly evolve and improve the quality and meaning of
our life as a human being. So enjoy your coffee and grab the challenge! ;D
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