Philosophy, its object and functions

The term “philosophy” comes from the Greek language. It consists of two words :
philos, (love, or philia – friendship, affection привязанность) and
sophos (learned scholar ученый муж, sage, or sophia - wisdom, knowledge, talent).

A brief etymological interpretation sounds like
“love wisdom”

The first who used this word, was Pythagoras. He did not dare (не отважился) to call himself as wise man, in his view: it is only God is wise, there’s only God’s wisdom.

So, here one of the first symbols of wisdom, philosophy – Iris, (the rainbow as a bridge between earth people and sky gods).

For the ancient Greek philosophers philosophy was not only a form of knowledge, learning, but also a form of life, existence. And even the first form or way of life (образ жизни).

How can or should begin philosophy in each case? And how a single person attached (приобщается) to it?

Various thinkers have different answers to this question. Plato began to widely use the term “philosophy” in his “Dialogues”.

Then, Aristotle believed that philosophy begins with wonder. (удивление)

Wonder in front of the mystery of the world, its unity and diversity (многообразие), its infinity. To be surprised and to see something in its untouched pristine (первозданность) is very difficult.

Interpretation of the wisdom of Democritus rightly points out (указывает) that philosophy can not be reduced to knowledge. Although in-depth knowledge is necessary for a wise.

For, as pointed out by another ancient Greek philosopher – Heraclitus, “knowledge of much doesn’t teach to be wise”

Descartes saw the real beginning of philosophy in doubt.

Philosophical knowledge is knowledge of a hole (целое), integrity of the hole. “The world as a whole” – that could be defined as the subject of philosophy.

The hole combines, integrates parts, provides them into unity. It is clear that only something in common and significant can ensure (обеспечивать) unity of the objects.

However, it should not be taken so that philosophy does not show any interest in the parts. Of course, a hole doesn’t exist without parts.

But the parts are taken here in that connection that leads to hole, include them in general chain (цепь) of global process, in the fundamental unity of the world.

It is also important to have in view that philosophy is internally dissected (внутренне расчлененное) formation consisting of independent philosophic studies:

Ontology – study of being
Gnoseology – theory of cognition
Epistemology - study of knowledge
Philosophical anthropology – study of man
Social philosophy – philosophy of society

Aesthetics – study of the beauty
Logic – study of thinking
Futurology – study of the future
Axiology – study of values
Ethics – study of morality

Directly only ontology goes to “the world as hole”. But, this does not mean that there’s no study of the hole, integrity in other philosophical disciplines.

Social philosophy studies direction of the historical process (what is the history?), paradigms, i.e., model-patterns in social life.

In all its forms philosophy teaches “the holistic (целостное) thinking”, an integrated interpretation of all existing parties, all aspects of human existence. Philosophical knowledge, then, should be classified as problematic one.

In a rigorous, logical-philosophical approach every problem reveals (обнаруживает) its true meaning that is to be an issue on which there is no answer in the existing system of knowledge, but which, nevertheless, growing out from it.

In this context we can understand the Socratic phrase:
“I know that I know nothing”

In fact, expanding (расширяя) the circle of knowledge, we increase the area of ​​contact with the world of ignorance, or unknown.

There are problems in any science, but in philosophy they have eternal nature. That is philosophy deals with the problems, which don’t have any final solution.

Each era and every great thinker give their own interpretation, understanding and resolution of philosophical problems – more or less authentic (достоверное), compelling (убедительное), but a very relative.

Philosophical knowledge is not only problematic, but alternative. Philosophy makes a lot of different responses on any fundamental question . There is no the Answer, but there are a lot of answers.

Philosophical knowledge also comes as critical knowledge. Philosophy reflects all dogmas, teachings, authorities, values ​​which are circulating (имеют хождение) in society.

Philosophical criticism reveals (выявляет) limitations and the relativity of all knowledge.

In this respect, philosophy is different than rhetoric which convinces (убедить) a listener in one way of opinion.

Main instrument of philosophy is not conviction (убеждение), but discovery and critical examination of the truth.

Criticism is naturally connected with reflection. Reflection is self-conscious (самоосознающее) or cognitive thinking, self-aware (самоосознающее) knowledge search. Reflective thought is a thought, turned on itself.

Philosophical knowledge can be described as well as humanistic knowledge. In this case, we investigate person as a philosophical phenomenon because every person exists as active side of relationships between human and the world.

Philosophy discovers universality in its human, humanistic dimension and meaning. Philosophy explores the world, displayed (отображенный) on individual world.

Knowledge becomes philosophical knowledge when it is projected on human being and is involved in the formation of his worldview.

Philosophy and science

Solution of the question “is philosophy science?” depends on how we understand science and how we evaluate philosophy. Science is usually identified with a system of true knowledge, but it is an exagge’ration (преувеличение).

First, the foundation of any science has highly uncertain character.

Second, at the highest level of science there exists its heterogeneity (неоднородности): contradictory theories, unproven theorems, purely hypothetical constructs, paradoxes.

Third, science is a social institution, i.e., social diversity which contains people, their research roles, misconceptions (заблуждения), prejudices (предрассудки) and rumors (слухи).

Philosophy has more comprehensive (объемлющий) nature, intended to generalize the truth. Philosophy unites not only scientific, but religious, ethical, aesthetic theories and opinions.

Historical types of outlook: mythology, religion, philosophy

World outlook is a system of views on the reality and human’s place in it in a certain historic-cultural epoch.

Outlook has a definite structure: everyday and scientific knowledge, creeds (убеждения), faith, principles etc.
Outlook carries out the function of human’s knowledge of the outer world.

Outlook has two levels:
rational-theoretical level
daily and practical level

There are three historical types of outlook:
Mythology
Religion
Philosophy

Mythology is a system of legends, in which it’s stated the understanding of the emergence and structure of the world and man as its inherent element.

Myth is the first form of cultural activity of man.
Cosmogonic myths are about the origin of the universe.
Cosmological myths are about the structure of the universe.

Religion is a faith in the supernatural substance, which is based on a strong system of moral norms and the special organization of people (sanctuary- храм).
Faith is a form of existence of religion.

Religious outlook is characterized by…
1. Symbolism (each a significant phenomenon in nature or history is regarded as a manifestation of God’s will)

2. The world is divided on the worldly and otherworldly spaces
3. Time is associated with a sacred history

Definition of philosophy

So, as much it’s defined before: «Philosophy is the study of fundamental laws of the world, man and man’s place in this world»

Philosophy is focused on three key elements:
- nature,
- social life,
- human.

The question of relation between matter and consciousness is one of the main questions in philosophy

This question has two aspects:
1. What comes first: matter or consciousness? (materialists and idealists)
2. Can we cognize the world? (Gnostics and Agnostics)

Functions of philosophy

Four basic functions of philosophy:
1. Outlook function of philosophy is the ability to give a united picture of the world in general, to combine data of sciences, arts, practices.

2. Methodological function is to identify ways to achieve some goal, such as scientific knowledge, aesthetic creativity, social practice.

3. Humanistic function is implemented in a very careful attention to the man, this function is referring to man as the active phenomenon.

4. The practical function of philosophy is, above all, the aspiration to moral, ethical virtue of the people.

Philosophy course consists of…
history of philosophy
and
theory of philosophy

Periods of evolution of philosophy:
The ancient oriental philosophy
The philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome
Medieval philosophy
The philosophy of Renaissance
The New Age Philosophy
German classical philosophy
Philosophy of the 19th century
Philosophy of the 20th century
Present-day Philosophy

Key FINDINGS

Philosophy is the subjective search for answers to the fundamental issues of existance.
Philosophy is ethical man’s attitude to the world.

Appointment of philosophy is an understanding the world and human security of the universal conditions of improvement.