Others surely will offer different takes on "philosophy" according to their respective preoccupations (e.g. mine is 'human' agency), so here's how I define it today:What is philosophy? — Bret Bernhoft
At minimum, IME, "the philosophical" consists in supposing, or proposing, reflections which make explicit ordinarily implicit (i.e. unreflective) discursive uses, misuses and abuses of e.g. concepts, criteria, questions, problems, knowledge, etc. Understanding, or making explicit (i.e. problematizing), is the endless task, path, ladder ... of opposing – escaping from – "confusion, contradiction and folly" (~@unenlightened) as much as one is able.Can youexplain to[describe for] me what makes something a philosophy or philosophical?
Study dead philosophers and (honestly, non-fallaciously, charitably) discuss your studies with students living philosophically.How does one intentionally participate in philosophical dialogue?
Here is a link that may satisfy this query.Where can I turn for a reliable and insightfulexplanation[expression] of philosophy?
What is philosophy? — Bret Bernhoft
FWIW, here's my attempt to define "philosophy", for the purposes of my personal worldview. :What is philosophy? — Bret Bernhoft
Can you explain to me what makes something a philosophy or philosophical? — Bret Bernhoft
:up: He (or maybe Mark Twain) might have inspiredThere's something in Ambrose Bierce's definition of philosophy:
"A route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing. — Tom Storm
(Metaphysics is like being in a dark room and looking for a black cat that isn't there.Philosophy is like being in a dark room and looking for a black cat.
Science is like being in a dark room looking for a black cat while using a flashlight.
I took up an interest in philosophy about ten years ago, and since then I have learned a quite a bit; relatively speaking. — Bret Bernhoft
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.