Understanding Philosophy: Theory and Practice
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What is Philosophy?
Philosophy is an intellectual activity, though not always well-defined, linked to reflection and theorizing. It is also an activity related to adopting certain attitudes towards life and is linked to personal action. It is a discourse that claims knowledge is based on three basic elements:
- Rationality: Trying to give rational explanations.
- Totality: Attempting to explain everything and not be divided into parts.
- Radicality of Questions: Trying to reach the limit of knowledge.
Philosophy is a work in constant progress; it never ends. You can always find new questions and new answers. It is usually related to questions that are more important than the answers. Philosophy tries to clarify ideas critically, to justify and defend everything through discussion (dialogue) and reflection.
Philosophy was born in Greece around the 6th century BC. It was born as a quest for knowledge, not as an absolute knowledge. Etymologically, the word is the sum of philo (interested in something, love) and sophia (knowledge, wisdom). Philo signifies interest or desire for something, and sophia signifies knowledge or wisdom. Philosophy also created resistance and a changing attitude to reality and theoretical knowledge that opposed the practical activity that had worked until then.
Theoretical and Practical Rationality in Philosophy
Philosophy is a form of knowledge that moves between two areas: the theoretical and the practical. Although the theoretical field is fundamental, it is based on the other side.
Theoretical rationality in philosophy refers to all problems related to truth and knowledge. As knowledge, it provides a rational and critical response to our questions, satisfies intellectual curiosity, and seeks to give reasons for all the problems we consider. These reasons allow us to argue our theories, including those that give meaning to all the information with which we work. The aim is to combat dogmatism.
Practical rationality in philosophy refers to problems related to both individual and collective action. This practical rationality is the application of theoretical philosophical knowledge to life and individual goals. It allows us to evaluate our actions from this perspective, make decisions, and act in a proper and rationally critical way. It also helps us analyze our reasoning and therefore to think better.
Its form involves values and norms; correct arguments. Applied, it includes ethics and politics.