KIRINYAGA UNIVERSITY
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
1
,Module 1: Understanding Philosophy
Unit 1: Meaning and Nature of Philosophy
Unit 2: Conceptions of Philosophy
Unit 3: Features of Philosophy
Unit 4: Method of Philosophy
UNIT 1: MEANING AND NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY
Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Meaning of Philosophy
3.1.1 The Historical Approach
3.1.2 The Language Approach
3.1.3 Philosophy as Worldview
3.2 Nature of Philosophy
3.2.1 Philosophy as Questions and Answers
3.2.2 Philosophy as a Criticism
3.2.3 Philosophy as a Programme of Change
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Self-Assessment Exercise
7.0 References/Further Reading
1.0 Introduction
Welcome to this discussion on the meaning and nature of philosophy. By its very topic,
you should realise that there are two parts that make-up our examination of philosophy
here. There is the part on meaning, on the one hand, and there is the part of nature, on the
other hand. Thus, we are going to deal with the meaning as well as the nature of what
philosophy is. It is assumed that by now, you have heard of philosophy and perhaps, have
been wondering what it is all about. The discussion in this unit is meant to introduce you
to what philosophy is, by providing you with a knowledge of the basics of what
characterises the discipline of philosophy. Let me even say that it is not just this unit that
would introduce you to philosophy, the whole of the module will provide you with
knowledge of what you need to know, so as to be at home with studying philosophy.
2
,2.0 Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
define philosophy
explain key concepts in philosophy
3.0 identify essential characteristics of philosophyMain Content
The content of this unit will be examined in the following headings: (i) the meaning of
philosophy; and (ii) the nature of philosophy. In examining the meaning of philosophy, we
would look at some approaches to the definition of philosophy. These will include the
historical approach, as well as an approach that sees philosophy as the analysis oflanguage.
As regards the nature of philosophy, we would look at philosophy as a set of questions and
answers, philosophy as criticism, and philosophy as a program of change.
3.1 The Meaning of Philosophy
Let me begin by saying that the task of defining philosophy is not much different from that
of defining any discipline. By this, I mean that it is often the experience that for a discipline
with the character and history as philosophy, there would be as many definitions as there
are experts in the discipline. With this said, from etymology, the word philosophy is a
combination of two Greek words, Philo (meaning love) and Sophia(meaning wisdom).
When conjoined, philosophy then becomes the love of wisdom and a philosopher, a lover
of wisdom. In ancient times, a lover of wisdom could be related to any area where
intelligence was expressed.
This could be in business, politics, human relations, or carpentry and other skills. In this
sense, philosophy was used to describe the whole of life in antiquity. In contrast to this,
some modern definitions restrict philosophy to what can be known by science or the
analysis of language. So, as used originally by the ancient Greeks, the term “philosophy”
meant the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, and comprised all areas of speculative
thought, including the arts, sciences and religion.
In today’s intellectual society, there is a popular use of the word philosophy. Philosophy is
a term applied to almost any area of life. Some questions may express this general attitude:
what is your philosophy of business? banking? driving a car? or your philosophyof the use
of money? If this popular use of the word were to prevail, one may admit that anyone who
thinks seriously about any subject is a philosopher. If this general definition is accepted,
then everyone rightly qualifies to become a philosopher, but this would be ignoring the
understanding of philosophy in the strict, technical and professional sense as academic
disciplines or study.
Put differently, If this loose definition prevails, it would mean that a philosopher is anyone
who says he is a philosopher. Because of this inadequacy, it becomes apparent that we
have to look elsewhere for a definition of philosophy. And so, because theoriginal
meaning of the word, philosophy, does not give us much for specific content, we will turn
3
, to descriptive definitions. A descriptive definition of philosophy is such that it seeks to
describe its functions, goals, and reasons for existence. In the following pages, a number
of these definitions will be set forth and examined.
But let me reiterate what I said earlier regarding having as many definitions as there are
philosophers. This would come as a note of caution to the student who is just beginning
to have first contact with philosophy. The beginner may despair over diverse definitions.
Students who come from a scientific background frequently expect concise, clear, and
universally accepted definitions. This will not be true in philosophy and it is also not
universally true concerning all issues in any science or non-scientific study or discipline.
The diversity of opinion in philosophy becomes a source of embarrassment for thebeginner
when asked to explain to parents or unknowing friends, just what a course in philosophy is
all about. It might naturally be expected that philosophy, being one of the oldest disciplines
or subjects in academia, should achieve some uniformity or opinion in terms of definition,
but this is not exactly the case.
Yet, in spite of diversity of opinions, philosophy is important. Plato declared that
philosophy is a gift the gods have bestowed on mortals.1 This may reflect man’s ability to
reason about the world as well as man’s life within it. Socrates’ famous statement,“Know
thyself,” reflects this aim of philosophy. Plato also warned against the neglect of
philosophy. He wrote that “land animals came from men who had no use for philosophy.
. . .”2 In light of this, it might help to inform you that men live by philosophies.
3.1.1 The Historical Approach
Remember our question: what is philosophy? According to the historical approach,
philosophy is the study of historical figures who are considered philosophers. One may
encounter the names of Thales, Philo, Plotinus, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine,
Thomas Aquinas, Don Scotus Erigena, Immanuel Kant, David Hume, Karl Marx, Georg
Wilhelm Fredrick Hegel, Bertrand Russell, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and many more. All
these are known philosophers. But one may ponder as to what actually holds them
together within the philosophical bracket, since they are so diverse in many of their views?
One answer lies in their common set of problems and concerns. Many were interested in
the problems of the universe: its nature and origin; the issue of man’s existence, good and
evil, politics, and other topics.
The argument for the historical approach is that no real understanding of philosophy can
be had unless one understands the past. Philosophy would be impoverished if it lost any
of the names above. Some argue that knowing the history of philosophy is required for a
positive appreciation of philosophy, and necessary if one is to make creative
contributions to the advancement of philosophy.
This definition of philosophy has its problems: (i) it tends to limit philosophy to the great
minds of the past and makes it an elitist movement, (ii) it restricts philosophy to an
examination of past questions and answers only, (iii) it is not really different from the study
of history of ideas. This would make philosophy a sub-unit of history.
1
Trans. H.D.P. Lee, Timaeus (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1965), p. 64.
4
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
1
,Module 1: Understanding Philosophy
Unit 1: Meaning and Nature of Philosophy
Unit 2: Conceptions of Philosophy
Unit 3: Features of Philosophy
Unit 4: Method of Philosophy
UNIT 1: MEANING AND NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY
Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Meaning of Philosophy
3.1.1 The Historical Approach
3.1.2 The Language Approach
3.1.3 Philosophy as Worldview
3.2 Nature of Philosophy
3.2.1 Philosophy as Questions and Answers
3.2.2 Philosophy as a Criticism
3.2.3 Philosophy as a Programme of Change
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Self-Assessment Exercise
7.0 References/Further Reading
1.0 Introduction
Welcome to this discussion on the meaning and nature of philosophy. By its very topic,
you should realise that there are two parts that make-up our examination of philosophy
here. There is the part on meaning, on the one hand, and there is the part of nature, on the
other hand. Thus, we are going to deal with the meaning as well as the nature of what
philosophy is. It is assumed that by now, you have heard of philosophy and perhaps, have
been wondering what it is all about. The discussion in this unit is meant to introduce you
to what philosophy is, by providing you with a knowledge of the basics of what
characterises the discipline of philosophy. Let me even say that it is not just this unit that
would introduce you to philosophy, the whole of the module will provide you with
knowledge of what you need to know, so as to be at home with studying philosophy.
2
,2.0 Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
define philosophy
explain key concepts in philosophy
3.0 identify essential characteristics of philosophyMain Content
The content of this unit will be examined in the following headings: (i) the meaning of
philosophy; and (ii) the nature of philosophy. In examining the meaning of philosophy, we
would look at some approaches to the definition of philosophy. These will include the
historical approach, as well as an approach that sees philosophy as the analysis oflanguage.
As regards the nature of philosophy, we would look at philosophy as a set of questions and
answers, philosophy as criticism, and philosophy as a program of change.
3.1 The Meaning of Philosophy
Let me begin by saying that the task of defining philosophy is not much different from that
of defining any discipline. By this, I mean that it is often the experience that for a discipline
with the character and history as philosophy, there would be as many definitions as there
are experts in the discipline. With this said, from etymology, the word philosophy is a
combination of two Greek words, Philo (meaning love) and Sophia(meaning wisdom).
When conjoined, philosophy then becomes the love of wisdom and a philosopher, a lover
of wisdom. In ancient times, a lover of wisdom could be related to any area where
intelligence was expressed.
This could be in business, politics, human relations, or carpentry and other skills. In this
sense, philosophy was used to describe the whole of life in antiquity. In contrast to this,
some modern definitions restrict philosophy to what can be known by science or the
analysis of language. So, as used originally by the ancient Greeks, the term “philosophy”
meant the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, and comprised all areas of speculative
thought, including the arts, sciences and religion.
In today’s intellectual society, there is a popular use of the word philosophy. Philosophy is
a term applied to almost any area of life. Some questions may express this general attitude:
what is your philosophy of business? banking? driving a car? or your philosophyof the use
of money? If this popular use of the word were to prevail, one may admit that anyone who
thinks seriously about any subject is a philosopher. If this general definition is accepted,
then everyone rightly qualifies to become a philosopher, but this would be ignoring the
understanding of philosophy in the strict, technical and professional sense as academic
disciplines or study.
Put differently, If this loose definition prevails, it would mean that a philosopher is anyone
who says he is a philosopher. Because of this inadequacy, it becomes apparent that we
have to look elsewhere for a definition of philosophy. And so, because theoriginal
meaning of the word, philosophy, does not give us much for specific content, we will turn
3
, to descriptive definitions. A descriptive definition of philosophy is such that it seeks to
describe its functions, goals, and reasons for existence. In the following pages, a number
of these definitions will be set forth and examined.
But let me reiterate what I said earlier regarding having as many definitions as there are
philosophers. This would come as a note of caution to the student who is just beginning
to have first contact with philosophy. The beginner may despair over diverse definitions.
Students who come from a scientific background frequently expect concise, clear, and
universally accepted definitions. This will not be true in philosophy and it is also not
universally true concerning all issues in any science or non-scientific study or discipline.
The diversity of opinion in philosophy becomes a source of embarrassment for thebeginner
when asked to explain to parents or unknowing friends, just what a course in philosophy is
all about. It might naturally be expected that philosophy, being one of the oldest disciplines
or subjects in academia, should achieve some uniformity or opinion in terms of definition,
but this is not exactly the case.
Yet, in spite of diversity of opinions, philosophy is important. Plato declared that
philosophy is a gift the gods have bestowed on mortals.1 This may reflect man’s ability to
reason about the world as well as man’s life within it. Socrates’ famous statement,“Know
thyself,” reflects this aim of philosophy. Plato also warned against the neglect of
philosophy. He wrote that “land animals came from men who had no use for philosophy.
. . .”2 In light of this, it might help to inform you that men live by philosophies.
3.1.1 The Historical Approach
Remember our question: what is philosophy? According to the historical approach,
philosophy is the study of historical figures who are considered philosophers. One may
encounter the names of Thales, Philo, Plotinus, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine,
Thomas Aquinas, Don Scotus Erigena, Immanuel Kant, David Hume, Karl Marx, Georg
Wilhelm Fredrick Hegel, Bertrand Russell, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and many more. All
these are known philosophers. But one may ponder as to what actually holds them
together within the philosophical bracket, since they are so diverse in many of their views?
One answer lies in their common set of problems and concerns. Many were interested in
the problems of the universe: its nature and origin; the issue of man’s existence, good and
evil, politics, and other topics.
The argument for the historical approach is that no real understanding of philosophy can
be had unless one understands the past. Philosophy would be impoverished if it lost any
of the names above. Some argue that knowing the history of philosophy is required for a
positive appreciation of philosophy, and necessary if one is to make creative
contributions to the advancement of philosophy.
This definition of philosophy has its problems: (i) it tends to limit philosophy to the great
minds of the past and makes it an elitist movement, (ii) it restricts philosophy to an
examination of past questions and answers only, (iii) it is not really different from the study
of history of ideas. This would make philosophy a sub-unit of history.
1
Trans. H.D.P. Lee, Timaeus (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1965), p. 64.
4
