WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY? Philosophy comes from two Greek words: "Philos," meaning "love," and "Sophia," meaning "wisdom." Combined, "Philosophia" means "the love of wisdom."
Wisdom refers to the ability to make sensible decisions and give sound judgment based on knowledge and experience. Therefore, to have wisdom means to apply knowledge effectively in decision-making.
Philosophy has been defined in various ways by different scholars since ancient Greece. Some definitions include: (i) A method of simplifying complex ideas and statements about life experiences to enhance understanding. (ii) A rational approach to solving fundamental human problems. (iii) A continuous quest to uncover the mysteries of the universe to create a meaningful framework for thoughts, actions, and observable phenomena. (iv) A set of guiding principles that influence an individual's actions in different situations. (v) A rational inquiry into the nature of events and the reasons behind occurrences in the world.
EVOLUTION OF PHILOSOPHY The first Greek philosophers, known as the "Milesian" thinkers, laid the foundation of philosophy in ancient Greece and influenced modern Western thought. Their inquiries led to significant developments in science and other fields.
The primary objective of the Greeks was to discover the principles governing the universe. They sought explanations for life and creation using pure reasoning, observation, analysis, and deduction. This intellectual curiosity led them to philosophy, as they were fascinated by their existence and the world around them.
The early Greek philosophers rejected myths, legends, and superstitions as explanations for the mysteries of creation. The first to take this rational approach were the Milesian philosophers. Thales, the leader of this school, proposed that water was the fundamental substance of the universe. He argued that all states of matter—gaseous, liquid, and solid—could be derived from water.
Following Thales, Anaximander proposed that the primary substance was something infinite and eternal. Anaximenes, another Milesian philosopher, suggested that air was the fundamental element of all matter.
The search for wisdom continued from ancient Greece through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and modern times. This intellectual journey led to the emergence of various philosophical perspectives, such as rationalism, pragmatism, and existentialism. Philosophy, once considered the totality of knowledge, later gave rise to disciplines like mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and logic. As a result, philosophy is sometimes called the "science of sciences" or the "mother of knowledge."
The Milesian philosophers' approach was based on reason rather than myths or poetic imagination. For example, in Nigeria, myths and legends explain creation, such as the Yoruba belief that Oduduwa descended from heaven or the Hausa legend of Bayajida, who founded the Hausa states. Comparing such myths with Thales' hypothesis about the fundamental substance of the universe reveals the difference between mythological and philosophical reasoning. Philosophers rely on rational procedures and logical analysis to investigate questions.
Philosophical inquiry is characterized by reasoning and dialogue, where individuals present and question viewpoints. Philosophers seek to answer fundamental questions, such as "How do you know?" "What do you mean?" and "Why is it so?" These questions demand logical reasoning and evidence-based explanations.
MODES OF PHILOSOPHY Philosophy is more of an activity than a collection of passive knowledge. It is learned through practice, known as philosophizing. There are three main modes of philosophy: speculative, prescriptive, and analytic.
(a) Speculative Philosophy This mode involves systematic speculation about all things, both real and abstract. It seeks to understand order, wholeness, and connections in the realm of experience. For instance, the Milesian philosophers speculated about the fundamental principles governing the universe using pure reasoning. Speculative philosophy includes branches like metaphysics and epistemology.
(b) Prescriptive Philosophy Prescriptive philosophy establishes standards for evaluating values, conduct, and art. It seeks to determine whether qualities like good and bad, right and wrong, or beauty and ugliness are objective or subjective. This mode is particularly relevant in education, where values influence decision-making and teaching practices. Understanding the value basis of education helps teachers impart meaningful lessons to students.
(c) Analytic Philosophy Analytic philosophy focuses on the meaning of words and concepts. It examines terms like education, teaching, learning, intelligence, indoctrination, freedom, authority, and curriculum to clarify their meanings. This mode also analyzes issues and problems in education and other fields. As education is a public enterprise, debates about its purpose and methods often involve analytical philosophy.
TWO SENSES OF PHILOSOPHY (i) Common/Popular Sense Philosophy, in a general sense, refers to an individual's attitude toward life, shaped by beliefs, experiences, and personal principles. In this sense, everyone has a philosophy of life that guides their behavior. Statements like "Honesty is the best policy" and "No condition is permanent" reflect common-sense philosophy. Additionally, philosophy is sometimes equated with general objectives or reasoning, as seen in questions like "What is the philosophy of your school?" or "What is the philosophy behind his actions?"
(ii) Professional/Technical Sense In its technical sense, philosophy is an academic discipline characterized by logical, consistent, and systematic thinking. Scholars engage in philosophy to arrive at sound, coherent conclusions. Philosophizing requires rigorous intellectual effort to analyze and understand fundamental issues. This disciplined approach distinguishes philosophy as a field of study and inquiry.