something that is COMMON SENSE but w. BIG WORDS =)

Why philosophy is important? Why we, human being should be interested in philosophy? Is philosophy a set of false illusions from the past history? These are the question that comes on my mind when I hear the word philosophy but what was the real value of it? I have to define it first, although defining it is another duty but it will make an attempt for us to know its value less vague and realistic.

As we all know, Philosophy comes from the Greek words “philo/s or phlein”, which means love or passion and “sophia”, which means wisdom. According to its etymology, we can deduce that "philosophy" is "a love of wisdom", which means that it combines both cognitive and emotional dimension of our mind. Philosophy is “search for the truth” for the Western for they believe that seeing leads to understanding. It doesn’t literally mean that philosophy has eyes to see but it has the ability to transform knowledge into something meaningful. While in Eastern, it is the “way of life”, so, if you would ask an Asian if what her /his philosophy is, they would answer you a motto.

Philosophy is concern with the basic questions regarding why we live, why we should acquire knowledge, the ethics and values that a certain community live by and all the things that entails or pursue knowledge or wisdom which provides clarity in the mind of each individual. It aims to answer the reason for existence of everything. It encompasses the laws of nature, arts, belief and myths. It is also a systematic way or approach in acquiring or gathering knowledge to prove certain fundamental questions. It value relationship, reasoning, religion and idealism. It also expresses beauty or aesthetics that satisfy man. It is the sharing point or origin of individual field of study like sociology, psychology, and others.

I believe that philosophy is something that is common sense but with big words for it is simply the collection of held opinions and beliefs, more or less well founded, more or less mixed up with error and injustice, which make up the voice of the community -- "what everybody knows." It may also refer in this broad usage to good practical sense in everyday affairs. So, I guess if a man or a woman philosophize, it is simply because they are human beings who make up their own minds in a manner of questions of belief, desire and actions. Philosophy satisfies the intellectual and spiritual needs (the “needs of the mind”). They achieve their value indirectly through their effect “upon the lives of those who study” it. It does not only answer question the answers provided, but it also questions our doubt, disbelief and conviction, it questions the grounds upon which we draw our conclusion. It is the “search for reality and certainty”. So, philosophy should be learned or studied with passion not just for the sake to answer it’s question because they are no definite answers to its question. For example, “Why people are born?” “Why do they die?” . We, ourselves, do not know the answer to this question for only God knows for He is the omniscient God. His knowledge is perfect! :)

Philosophy is the existence of our present times. We used it casually without noticing it. It holds the history, and the future together regardless of the span time in between. For me, philosophy is something that is the end of life. It is debatable to some, even my personal philosophies in life. But respect is necessary to achieve what man search for. Learning is non-stop so as Philosophy and its respective field, it is just necessary to deal it individually.

I would like to end my note with a Bible verse,

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10)

The wisdom we need most cannot be acquired through science, philosophy or arts. True wisdom comes from God ONLY! Don’t forget to thank Him! :)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5).