-Philosophy is derived from 2 words

“Philo means “To love”

“Sophia” means “wisdom or knowledge”
Quite literally the term “Philosophy “ means, “Love for wisdom”
Definition of Philosophy according to:
Cambridge: A group of theories and ideas related to the understanding of a particular subject.
Oxford: Philosophy is the Study of nature and meaning of the Universe and of human life.
Pioneers of western philosophy
Socrates (470BC - 399BC) :

Famous for being the Pioneer of western Philosophy. The Socratic method, where you keep asking a person question after question to investigate their
knowledge is also named after him.

His definition: “Philosophy is a daily activity”

Plato (428BC – 347BC) (roughly) :

Famous for his views on politics (had a famous book called “The Republic”.

He created a famous learning academy.

According to Plato, “he who has a taste for every sort of knowledge and who is curious to learn and is never satisfied, may be justly termed as a Philosopher”

Plato’s definition: “Philosophy is the acquisition of Knowledge”

Aristotle (384BC – 322BC)

He wrote about almost every topic including Physics, Meta physics, Poetry, Music, Politics etc.

He said, all things were made from: Air, Fire, Earth, Water.

His definition: “Philosophy is a science which discovers the real nature of super natural”.
Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan: (former president of india)

A well known philosopher of 20th century, who wrote many books on Indian philosophy.

--“Philosophy is a view of life. It gives a direction to life, offers a design for living”.

According to Levison “Philosophy is mental activity”

Karl Marx (German Philosopher) – “Philosophy is the interpretation of the world in order to change it”
Branches and divisions of Philosophy:

• Meta Physics

• Epistemology

• Axiology

• Ethics

• Logic

• Asthetics
• Meta Physics: Meta means “Beyond”,

Physica means “Nature or Physics”

Quite literally the term means ‘’Beyond Physics’’

Area of Philosophy that deals with nature of existence and reality.

• Epistemology: ‘Episteme’ means ‘’Knowledge or Understanding’’ and

‘Logas’ means “study of” so the term means Study of Knowledge.

It analyses- means of attaining Knowledge

Methods of attaining Knowledge

• Axiology: Axios means “Value” and Logos means “Study of”.

Quite literally the term means The study of Values. It analyses Ideals and values of human lives.

Doable and Undoable actions of Human life:

• Ethics: It is the Behavior or conduct of human life.

• Logic: A sensible reason or way of thinling or the science of using reasons.

• Asthetics: It is the study of beauty.