The Essence of Philosophy: Concepts, Critiques, and Purpose
Features of Myths
- People turn to gods and heroes.
- Forces of nature are personified and deified.
- Myths are imaginative or fantastic stories.
- Mythical knowledge, though based on observation of nature, is not rational because explanations are not justified or demonstrated.
- The author of the myth is always unknown; it arises from a group, in contrast to scientific or philosophical theories.
- Myths have a traditional and uncritical character; they are anonymous.
The Miletus School
The Miletus School was a group of three philosophers who flourished in this city, founded by Ionian Greeks. Figures such as Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes are considered the first philosophers. They were the first not to be satisfied with mythological explanations for natural causes, instead seeking understanding through observation of nature.
Myth Versus Logos: Two Approaches to Understanding
- Myth
- Imaginative and fantastic stories based on the vicissitudes of traditional gods and heroes. Myths are chaotic, arbitrary, and therefore not subject to any fixed laws.
- Logos
- Derived from natural causes, experience, and critical observation. Logos posits an inherent order in the world, governed by fixed and stable laws.
What is Philosophy?
Philosophy is the result of a particular activity, the pursuit of knowledge. While there are different ways to develop this activity, certain characteristics define philosophical inquiry:
- Rational: Philosophy is based on logical arguments rather than mere observations. It is not limited to pointing out that things are a certain way; it strives to discover why they are so.
- Systematic: It requires all its claims to be related and hierarchically structured.
- Critical: Philosophy does not accept anything without prior rational examination. Knowledge must be constantly revised.
Philosophy and Science
Both philosophy and science are rational and systematic forms of knowledge that intend to find universal truths about the world. They share a common object of study.
The Scandal of Philosophy
The strongest criticisms leveled against philosophy include:
- Lack of Agreement: Philosophy does not seem to achieve positive results as science does. The questions and problems that arise remain open, with no final solution, leading to its “residual character.”
- Futility of Problems: For some thinkers, subtle philosophical problems are considered unimportant pastimes.
- Secrecy: The use of highly specialized terminology makes philosophy an activity reserved for a select few.
The Philosophical Attitude and Its Impact
The philosophical attitude has always been characterized by a peculiar way of addressing problems. Its value lies not in providing definitive answers, but in the questions it poses. Key aspects of this attitude include:
- Problematizing Thought: Philosophy’s core is to question and analyze, rather than simply solve.
- Universalist and Interdisciplinary: It is not limited to a certain area but attempts to cover all reality. Philosophy also serves to establish connections between different sciences.
- Radical Criticism: Philosophical inquiry attacks the root issues without taking anything for granted. Philosophy questions everything that has any pretension of knowledge, striving to discover mistakes and clarify problems often due to confusion created by a poor understanding of language. Philosophy is a conscious activity in conceptual analysis.
- Practical: Although in many cases it involves a high degree of abstraction, its interest is almost always to guide us in life.