Friday, May 05, 2006

POST 12- Analyse

Many people say that i talk a lot of philosophy.
But do you know what is Philosophy?? and why do we need it??
Philosophy is an activity: it is a way of thinking about certain sorts of question. Its most distinctive features is its use of logical argument. Philosophers typically deal in arguments: they either invent them, criticise other people's, or do both. They analyse and clarify concepts. The word 'Philosophy' is often used in a much broader sense than this to mean one's general outlook on life, or else rather to some forms of mysticism.

It is sometime argued that there is no point in studying philosophy as all philosophers ever do is sit around quibbling over the meaning of words. They never seem to reach any conclusions of any importance and their contribution to society is virtually non-existent.
The caricature of a philosopher is of someone who is good at dealing with very abstract thoughts.
One important reason for studying philosophy is that it deals with fundamental questions about the meaning of our existence.
Most of us at some time in our lives ask ourselves basic philosophical questions.
Why are we here? Is there any proof that God exists? Is there any purpose to our lives? What makes anything right or wrong? Could we ever be justified in breaking the law? Could our lives be just a dream? Is mind different from body, or are we simply physical beings? How does science progress? What is art? and so on.

Most people who study philosophy believe that it is important that each of us examines such questions. Some even argue that an unexamined life is not worth living. To carry on routine existence without ever examining the principles on which it is based may be like driving a car which has never been serviced. You may be justified in trusting the brakes, the steering, the engine. since they have always worked well enough up until now; but you may be completely unjustified in trust: the brake pads may be faulty and fail you when you most need them.
Similarly the principles on which your life is based may be entirely sound, but until you've examined them, you can't be certain of this.
However, even if you do not seriously doubt the soundness of the assumptions on which your life is based, you may be impoverishing your life by not exercising your power of thought. Many people find it either too much of an effort, or too disturbing to ask themselves such fundamental questions: they may be happy and comfortable with their prejudices and laugh on others who do so but they forget that others have a strong desire to find answers to challenging philosophical questions.

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