Blog #3: Round 1 of research
My inquiry question is “To what extent do modern philosophers contribute to the advancement of human knowledge and understanding, and how does their work compare to the contributions of philosophers from the past?” To address this my first round of research will be “How/does philosophy help us in understanding our life, and our world? How does it contribute to our world?”
Firstly, what exactly is philosophy? Philosophy as described by encyclopedia Britannica is “the rational, abstract, and methodical consideration of reality as a whole or of fundamental dimensions of human existence and experience” (1). But what does this mean? Essentially philosophy is the act of examining our reality and existence through a “deeper” lens.
So how does philosophy contribute to our world? Philosophy helps us grapple with our identities, Comprehend the essence of human experience and reflect on morality, in turn contributing to personal growth and societal understanding. This leads to a world in which we are all more aware of ourselves ,each other (2).Moreover, studying philosophy has practical applications for daily life ,it helps us develop problem-solving capacities, communication skills, and the ability to express ideas effectively (2).Furthermore, philosophy equips us with a “logical toolkit” to deconstruct arguments, distill facts, and recognize fallacies, which is valuable both in scientific fields and everyday life(4).Overall, philosophy has made significant contributions to our world by shaping thoughts, influencing various disciplines, and promoting the greater well-being of society (5).
The question of how philosophy helps us understand life is a philosophical one in itself. Ancient Greeks believed that philosophy was “a medicine for the soul” (6). Through examining various philosophies, we can find what we best resonate and further our understanding of oneself. Moreover, philosophy encourages individuals to question, ponder, and seek understanding, which are essential aspects of human curiosity, the pursuit of knowledge and understanding life(7).
In my next blog post i will be researching “What are the key areas of focus for modern philosophers, what are they saying, and who are they? What is their impact?”
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