What is philosophy?
- Philosophy then as [any knowledge = philosophy]
- Philosophy now as a “second order subject”
defining philosophy:
tautology or the circularity problem. Paradoxical nature of philosophical problems.
characteristics of any philosophical discussion:
[a wrong but very practical definition of philosophy, Philosophy is what the philosophers do, when they are doing philosophy!]
a) Big, fundamental or basic issues,
b) openness or freedom of queries, and
c) argumentative analysis [it’s the Method of philosophy.]
Philosophy is not a traditional subject. It’s is a seconder order subject. Actually, it’s a method of engaging with basic issues of other disciplines.
Problem of the definitions of philosophy that start with “জীবন ও জগতের ….”
Areas of philosophical studies:
- Core philosophy:
- metaphysics [reality or being],
- epistemology [knowledge],
axiology:
- logic [laws of thought and good reasoning]
- ethics [ought or should, normative aspects]
- aesthetics [sense of beauty]
- Branches of philosophy as “philosophy of …..”
- Eastern philosophy:
Muslim philosophy, Indian philosophy, far-eastern philosophy that includes Chinese and Japanese philosophy and Bangladesh philosophy
History of philosophy:
- Greek philosophy, medieval philosophy, modern philosophy, post-Hegelian philosophy or contemporary philosophy.
- Analytic-continental split.
Western philosophy vs eastern philosophy:
western philosophy –
- merits [freeness, argument basis, in-depth and it works in all the areas.]
- demerits [Dichotomy or binary]
eastern philosophy
- merits [hierarchical and integration]
- demerits [ lack of freeness, burden of scriptural reference, descriptive. It doesn’t work in all the relevant areas of human understanding and interest.]
utility of philosophical studies:
- analytic power, critical thinking, ethical life, knowledge-based society and social pluralism.
Contribution of philosophy:
- Giving rise to and protection the human civilization.
- initiating and guiding science and technology as an outcome.
- Philosophy is the foundation and life line of any scholarly study and research.
- philosophy shows the possible alternative ways
- only philosophy can give us certain of knowledge. A priori truths, square circle, time travel
Urgent reforms in philosophical studies in Bangladesh:
- student size, class room facilities and exam system.
- To introduce philosophical contents in primary and secondary level.
- To allow anyone to take credit-earning relevant philosophy courses in their under-grad and graduate level.