What is Philosophy?

Philosophy does not have a univocal definition that cuts across the bias of every philosopher. This is because some definitions advanced are too narrow such that they exclude some of the fundamental features that constitute the meaning of philosophy. On the other hand, some of the definitions are too broad that they include superfluous features that demean the concept of philosophy.

The fact that philosophy does have a univocal definition does not imply that philosophy cannot be defined. To grasp the meaning of philosophy, therefore, three approaches could be advanced, namely: etymological approach, normative or popular approach and meta-philosophical approach.

i.          Etymological Approach: In this approach, the concept of philosophy is assessed from its root-meaning. Philosophy, therefore, is derived from two Greek words: ‘philo’ meaning ‘love’ and ‘sophia’ meaning ‘wisdom’, combining the two words, we have ‘philosophia’ which means ‘love of wisdom’.

The concept of philosophy was coined by Pythagoras. Pythagoras was a mystic and mathematician, who was endowed with knowledge so much so that people began to see him as a wiseman. But in reaction to this designation, he noted that he was not a wiseman because wisdom was strictly the property of the gods; rather he saw himself as the lover of wisdom. From this, therefore, a philosopher is basically seen as a LOVER OF WISDOM.

Love and wisdom ought to be given somewhat elucidation in view to bring home what it takes to love wisdom. In loving wisdom, a philosopher is said to crave for or have a strong passion to acquire wisdom. Imagine a young man who sees a beautiful girl he is attracted to. He runs after the girl even when the girl tries to pose difficult-to-get attitude. He never gives up until the girl accepts him. This is what a philosopher does; he leaves no stone unturned until he gets wisdom.

It is worthy to note that wisdom is quite different from knowledge. Whereas knowledge means ‘an acquisition of facts’ wisdom implies the possession of a comprehensive knowledge of all there is. Whereas wisdom is universal, perfect and all-encompassing, knowledge is limited to certain information. That is why a philosopher seeks wisdom rather that knowledge. To get more elaborate information about the difference between wisdom and knowledge, click this link: The Gap between Knowledge and Wisdom.

ii. Normative approach: This approach is also referred to as ‘popular conception’. It falls within the ambits or scope of what the man in the street understands as philosophy. According to Prof. S. I. Udoidem notes that this approach ‘prescribes a way of viewing, understanding and interpreting our experiences or the objects of our consciousness.’ Based on this approach, therefore, philosophy means ‘the guiding principle that shapes or conditions one’s attitude to the surrounding circumstances of his time’.

iii. Meta-philosophical Approach: This approach explores the various ways in which the concept of philosophy has been defined. This approach tackles the what is philosophy from two perspectives: namely performative ostentation and circular reasoning. It is has been argued that philosophy cannot be defined simply because it does not have a generally acceptable definition. In performative ostentation, the indefinability of philosophy is itself a definition. So, if one what asks: what is philosophy? And another responds: ‘philosophy cannot be defined’. The later has invariably given a definition of philosophy as that concept which cannot be defined. Even when views philosophy as the act of philosophizing, it is also a form of definition, but this is simply a ‘circular reasoning’.

Beyond the foregoing, there are several definitions advanced to explain what philosophy is. According to Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosophy is the activity of clarification of concepts and language use in view to resolve to philosophical problems. Wittgenstein has argued that the basic problem which has confronted philosophers has been the problem of language and it is only when philosophy concerns itself with the analysis and clarification of thoughts and concepts that the problem in the philosophical enterprise could be curbed. That is why he views the business of philosophy as strictly to clarify concepts and thoughts. He explored this idea in his Tractatus and Philosophical Investigations.

For Socrates, philosophy is a reflective self-examination of the principles of just and happy life. The business of philosophy is to search for the principles aimed that making one live a good life. A philosopher would be one whose business is to engage in self-examination. Besides, he succinctly noted that an unexamined life is not worth living. So, one who does not reflect upon his life is as good as dead. For Dewey, philosophy is the criticism of criticisms. Philosophy, from this definition, is viewed as a second order discipline and activity. Philosophy detaches itself from other disciplines and begins to question the fundamental concerns and underpinning of these disciplines.

Philosophy is also seen as the journey of the mind towards truth (itineriarum mentis ad veritatem). It is also the persistent attempt to see life critically, appreciatively and wholly. Joseph Omoregbe defines it as a rational search for answers to the questions which arises in our minds when we reflect on human experience. Well, for me, philosophy could be defined as the critical discipline which reflects on the fundamental issues of reality in view to proffering solutions. But one basic thing about the act of philosophizing is that why the more one gives an answer, the more questions arise. Note that when we ask ‘what’, we are simply requesting for the nature of the thing in question, when we ask ‘why’ we are trying to find out the essence of the thing in question.

Practical Exercise: Explore more definitions of philosophy by other philosophers not mentioned here; then attempt your own definition.