How Great Thinkers Define Philosophy and Its Purpose

As the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, philosophy’s meaning has fascinated thinkers and scholars for centuries. Philosophy can be a difficult concept to grasp, and perhaps its true nature cannot be entirely comprehended. However, looking at some of the great philosophers and their definitions of philosophy may provide some insight into its essence.

From ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato to modern thinkers like Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosophy has been defined in various ways. This blog post will explore some of these definitions and examples, and then delve into the purpose of philosophy as articulated by great thinkers.

Philosophy Meaning: The Search for Wisdom

One of the most well-known definitions of philosophy comes from the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, who famously said that the unexamined life is not worth living. According to Socrates, philosophy is the pursuit of wisdom and understanding, and a life lived without questioning the world around us is devoid of richness and meaning.

Similarly, Plato, another ancient Greek philosopher and student of Socrates, defined philosophy as the “love of wisdom.” He believed that philosophy was the process of discovering the underlying reality behind appearances. In his Republic, he presents the story “Allegory of the cave” to illustrate our ignorance and the role of philosophy in escaping this ignorance to reach knowledge of the real world[^1^]. To learn more about Plato’s ideas, check out our post on The Philosophy of Plato: Ideas That Shaped the World.

Philosophy Meaning: The Art of Asking Questions

The French philosopher René Descartes is known for his famous quote “Cogito, ergo sum” or “I think, therefore I am”. Descartes believed that philosophy was a practice of asking questions and applying reason in order to seek answers. He demonstrated this idea through his Meditations on First Philosophy, where he used doubt as a tool to question and investigate the nature of reality and human knowledge[^2^].

Similarly, the 20th-century philosopher Bertrand Russell defined philosophy as the process of questioning and critically examining our most fundamental beliefs. He stated that the purpose of philosophy is to challenge our assumptions, investigate our beliefs, and promote critical thinking[^3^]. For a deeper understanding of the core questions in philosophy, read our article on Understanding the Core Questions in Philosophy.

Philosophy Meaning: A Systematic Inquiry

The German philosopher Immanuel Kant, known for his intricate system of knowledge and ethics, viewed philosophy as a systematic inquiry into concepts, principles, and knowledge. In his magnum opus, Critique of Pure Reason, Kant sought to establish the limits and conditions of human knowledge, arguing that we cannot know things as they are in themselves, but only as they appear to us[^4^].

In a similar vein, the Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein proposed that the purpose of philosophy is to clarify our understanding of language and thought. In his influential work Philosophical Investigations, he asserted that philosophical problems arise through misunderstandings of how language functions, and that by untangling these misconceptions, we can gain clarity[^5^].

The Purpose of Philosophy: A Guiding Light

Throughout history, great thinkers have sought to understand the purpose of philosophy. While their definitions may vary, a common thread is that philosophy serves as a guiding light to help us overcome ignorance, develop critical thinking skills, and provide a framework for understanding the world around us.

As the British philosopher Alfred North Whitehead once said, “The task of philosophy is to recover the general truths which are implicit in the common sense of mankind, and to render them explicit and pure”[^6^]. By delving into different aspects of life, from ethics and metaphysics to epistemology and language, philosophy addresses the questions that have perplexed humans for centuries, providing a framework for understanding our place in the universe. To explore the history of philosophy, read our post on The Love of Wisdom: Tracing the History of Philosophy.

In conclusion, philosophy’s meaning and purpose continue to enthrall people all over the world. While the definitions offered by great thinkers may differ, they all emphasize the importance of questioning, exploring, and seeking to understand. In the words of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, “the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”