Author: WordNerd100

The word 'philosophy' has two recognised definitions:

1. the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.

2. a theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour.

It was first founded during the 6th century BC by Thales who Aristotle - a renowned Greek philosopher - considered to be the first in the field. The word was later coined by Pythagoras and the topic itself was then furthered by Plato.

Philosophy is considered the greatest discipline of antiquity and the most prevalent, however one may question its relevance today. What makes philosophy so important?

To venture into this discussion, I use Socrates as a guide. The dictum 'the unexamined life is not worth living' was acknowledged and described in Plato's Apology as an excerpt of Socrates' speech before he was sentenced to death.

One can understand from this quote that understanding, examining and verifying the life you are living is more important than life itself. In layman's terms, philosophy is question - and if we do not question, then we can not answer.

It is the ultimate basis of human curiosity upon which the majority of all learning and knowledge was placed. Even the first universities in the world studied philosophy before all else and if you think thoroughly enough you will begin to see the foundations of philosophical thinking in your present, daily life.

We, as human beings, have the innate and incredible ability to be able to reflect upon our own actions, questioning morality and ethical issues in commensurate with the actions themselves, whether we act upon these thoughts or not. The embodiment of philosophy is the discussion of these questions in our everyday lives, from the small to the impossibly large, from whence the interesting debates and sciences of late sprang.

Before chemistry, physics and biology, one must have thought- why? How is it that everything in universe has come to be and what is it, exactly, that is? A commendable scientific example is Newton and his three laws. Were he not to have questioned why the apple fell from the tree, we might not know what we know today. This idea of question, of knowledge- all lies in philosophy, the foundation of intellectualism.

The word intellect is derived from Latin, originally spelt 'intellectus' meaning 'discernment, a perception or understanding' which was in Socrates' 'The Life Of The Mind' written by a man who questioned life until it cost him life itself.

Yet, despite this, there are still many questions to answer, not all of which are possible to but should be ventured, if only for the adventure, journey and unravelling of a lifetime- as of more to come.