History of Philosophy

What is Philosophy?

The Term Philosophy

The term "philosophy" is used in a myriad of contexts. In everyday language, it is equated with wisdom. This connotation is embedded in phrases like "philosophy of life," "corporate philosophy," "philosophical calm," and "philosophical attitude toward life," among others. The term "philosophy" is also frequently employed within academic circles. Regardless of the discipline in which a scholar defends their dissertation, they are awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree. In Western Europe and America, philosophy is a mandatory subject in high schools; in many Western countries, a philosophy exam is a compulsory part of graduation from high school; philosophy is studied by students of all majors. This emphasis on philosophy in curricula reflects its considerable importance in the life of an educated individual.

The word "philosophy" (φιλοσοφία) is Greek, composed of two words: "φίλος" (friend, or one who loves) and "σοφία" (wisdom). Thus, "philosophy" translates to "love of wisdom." The term was first used by the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras. He believed that wisdom was a divine attribute, attainable only by God, and that humans could not achieve it. However, humanity is called to emulate God, to become like Him. The closer one comes to resembling God, the more perfect one becomes. Since wisdom is a defining characteristic of God, this emulation of God means primarily the pursuit of wisdom. Humans are not divine and thus will never attain complete wisdom, but they can and should strive to approach God and His wisdom. This, according to Pythagoras, is humanity's true calling. Therefore, a person who chooses to dedicate their life to realizing their true calling, seeking wisdom, and loving it, is termed a philosopher. Thus, a philosopher is one who loves wisdom and seeks truth. Such a person is destined for an eternal and ultimately unattainable quest, for no matter how much effort one invests in the search for truth, it will never be grasped in its entirety. The very process of loving wisdom, the eternal pursuit of it, elevates a person above the mundane, lifts them out of the animalistic realm, and brings them closer to God. Philosophy thus humanizes a person.

When Pythagoras introduced the concept of "philosophy," the term held a much broader meaning than it does today. For Pythagoras and other ancient Greek intellectuals, a philosopher was an educated person who cultivated their intellectual faculties. This is where the tradition of awarding a Doctor of Philosophy degree for defending a dissertation in any field originates—reflecting the love and pursuit of wisdom. Today, the concept of "philosophy" is multifaceted: it signifies, on one hand, an academic discipline and field of study, and on the other, a general wisdom, the theoretical foundations of any knowledge, and the deepest aspirations of humanity.