Philosophy: Etymology, Branches, and Pre-Socratic Thought

The Etymology and Definition of Philosophy

Philosophy derives from the Greek words: Philo (love) and Sophia (wisdom). Its origin lies in the inherent trend, by the nature of man, to know (intellectual curiosity). There is in man the need to understand and explain the world and its phenomena.

Characteristics of Philosophy

1. It defines philosophy as the knowledge seeking the beginning of things.
2. The questioning of philosophy tends to immerse man in fears and anxieties.
3. It is considered a science because it is the most universal science that can exist, studying both material and spiritual beings.
4. Using philosophy, humanity reaffirms its existence as a rational being, distinct from things and animals.
5. Due to the many questions philosophy addresses, it has been separated into different areas.

Major Branches of Philosophy

1. Ethics

   A branch of philosophy whose main concern is the study of human behavior from the point of view of good and evil.

2. Aesthetics

   A branch of philosophy studying the essence of beauty and art.

3. Metaphysics

   The deeper study of philosophy itself, seeking the beginning and fundamental nature of things.

4. Logic

   A branch of philosophy studying the characteristics of true and correct knowledge.

5. Theodicy and Related Concepts

   • Theodicy: The study concerning the existence of God.
   • Religion: The attempted union between man and God.
   • Theology: The science concerned with the relationship between reason and faith.

6. Theory of Knowledge

   • Philosophy of Science: Focuses on the validation of scientific theories.
   • Epistemology: Establishes the validity of all types of knowledge.

Mythical Thinking

Today, the term myth often carries a negative connotation.

Meaning and Structure of Myth

Myth functions directly in relation to the questions it attempts to satisfy. When we examine the myths of various peoples of antiquity, we can see a similarity, because it always starts by mentioning the physical world, derived from chaos, resulting in an orderly world.

The purpose of myth is to indicate the place of man in the world, in relation to the elements and the gods. Ancient mythical thought possessed a universal logical structure, which ultimately served as the foundation for the birth of philosophy.

The Origin of Philosophy in Greece

Philosophy originated in Greece, driven by humanity's high sense of wonder, which facilitates the advancement of knowledge.

The Characteristics of the New Man (Philosopher)

• Confidence in reason.
• Loss of fear (of the unknown).
• Interest in understanding things.

Why Did Philosophy Emerge in Greece?

The Ionian coasts, due to extensive trade and contact with other cultures, favored a diversity of views and the search for new explanations, moving beyond mythical accounts.

The Pre-Socratic Cosmological Period

The first philosophers (Ionian School) focused on the search for a fundamental principle (archē) of nature:

• Thales
• Anaximenes
• Anaximander

Pythagoras (influenced by Eastern doctrines) introduced the concept of the Dual Human Being: Body and Soul.