SOLUTION TO ASSIGNMRNT ON PHILOSOPHY

NAME ALBERT ADJEI

STUDENT NUMBER: 2213518

PROGRAM: THECHNOLOGY AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION (S2)

QUESTION 1:

Beginning from the etymological definition, philosophy from the western definition comes from two
Greek words philia (love) and Sophia (wisdom). Etymologically philosophy means the love of wisdom.
Love in this contest is a strong desire for a particular object. Wisdom is the correct application of
knowledge

Philosophy as a love of wisdom can be referred to as the strong desire of the human person to
possess knowledge and apply it correctly.

Traditionally philosophy is defined as a sign that studies beings (all things that exist: material and
immaterial) in their ultimate causes, reasons and principles through the aid of human reason alone.

Some scholars of philosophy such as Aristotle defines philosophy as the science which discovers the
real nature of the supernatural elements. Levison defines philosophy as a mental activity .Karl Marks
puts it as the interpretation of the world in order to change it. Aristippus said the ability to feel at
ease in any society. Socrates defines it as a daily activity. Russel- it has to do with matters of interest
to the general educated public and loses much of its value if only a few professionals can understand
it. Last but not the least according to Ludwig Wittgenstein the object of philosophy is the logical
clarification of thoughts. Philosophy is not a theory but an activity. A philosophical work consists of
elucidations. Philosophy should make clear and delimit sharply the thoughts which otherwise are as
it were opaque and blurred.

Academically it is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge reality and existence. It is a
reasoned pursuit of fundamental truths, a quest for understanding a study of principles of conduct.
It seeks to establish standards of evidence to provide rational methods of resolving conflicts and also
to create technique for evaluating ideas and arguments. Philosophy develops the capacity to see the
world from other perspective of other individuals and other cultures. It helps to our ability toto
perceive the relationships among the various fields of study and deepens one’s sense of meaning
and variety of human experience

Question 2
In summary philosophy has to do with humans having answers to questions of nature (living and
non-living things). It does not have exact answers to others who do not believe in their ideologies.
Disagreement and subjectivity are in play. It gives rational answers to questions. Philosophy
navigates the world around us and our human minds correctly. It is the way of thinking about certain
subjects such as ethics, existence, time, meaning and value. It helps us to think better act more
wisely and responsibly to improve our quality of life. It satisfies our curiosity of our environment.

Question 4
Corelation between philosophy and science may include the following.

Science is concerned with natural phenomena, while philosophy attempts to understand the nature
of men existence, and the relationship that exist between the two concepts.

Both studies explain situations and find answers. Philosophy does this by using logical
argumentation, while science utilizes empirical data with experiment, observable facts and objective
evidence.

Science is used for instances to require empirical validation, while philosophy is used for situations
where measurement and observations cannot be applied. Science also takes answers and proves
them as objectively right or wrong.

Subjective and objective questions are involved in philosophy but a few objective questions can be
related to science. Philosophy generates questions. But science is only concerned with the latter.

Philosophy creates knowledge through thinking, science does this through observations.

Science is a defined and a universal field of study applicable in many areas of life in contrast to
philosophy.

Philosophy came first and it was the basis of science.

QUESTION 3

Information from various experts of philosophy may include the following:

Aristotle;

Nicomachean Ethics-

an ethic that considers how best man should live and the virtues which produce happiness. he
argues that man does not need to act to commit a crime; omitting to do something can be just as
unethical.

Politics
When describing man as a ‘political animal’, Aristotle argues that the polis – or city state – is
humanity’s natural habitat. Politics, meaning ‘things concerning the polis’, explores the best ways
that man might live in society and describes how royalty, aristocracy and constitutional government
corrupt to become tyranny, oligarchy and democracy. For Aristotle, different species have naturally
occurring and fixed characteristics.

Metaphysics

Meaning ‘after the physics’, Aristotle’s study is the first work to bear the title, though Aristotle
himself did not use the term and it is thought to have been added in the first century. Aristotle
describes the work as ‘the study of being qua being’ or the ‘first philosophy’, in which the author
examines the nature of ‘things that can be said to be’.

Aquinas:

Free Will and Ethics;

He delineated the basic human drives into “the will” and “desires.” Desires are all sensual appetites
that derive from the senses. The will, however, is a faculty that is always seeking the good. Aquinas
believed that the good for all people was God, but the conscious mind did not need to perceive this
as seeking God. All acts that human beings choose are in service of what is perceived to be good.
Guiding Principle

Socrates;

Believed that philosophy should achieve practical results for the greater well-being of society. He
emphasized the idea that the more a person knows, the greater his or her ability to reason and make
choices that will bring true happiness. Just to mention a few.