¿QUÉ es la FILOSOFÍA?

What is philosophy?

People often say they need a carpenter, dentist, or gardener, but rarely do they say they need a philosopher.
Philosophy promotes serenity and sensibility, going beyond what reality seems to show.
It helps us distinguish between problems we can control and those we can't.
Philosophy is not incompatible with justice; it actually reduces the likelihood of turning pain into revenge.
Philosophy is a companion in life, not just an academic discipline.

"Living in a hurry without knowing where we are going is the opposite of what philosophy suggests."

The value of philosophy

Philosophy teaches us how to live and encourages us to think critically.
It helps us search for alternative explanations, avoid cognitive biases, and be more tolerant.
Philosophy assists us in self-reflection, understanding the world, and questioning established ideas.
It complements democracy by promoting individual autonomy over blind obedience.

"Philosophy is like an autodidact tool, a true ally in thinking."

Why philosophy matters

Philosophy serves various purposes, such as clarifying concepts and questioning received ideas.
It embraces scientific studies instead of pure speculation.
Philosophy recognizes that life is constantly changing and that nothing can be fully possessed.
It helps us reflect on ethical matters, develop virtues, and handle problems effectively.
Philosophical discussions allow us to recognize commonalities in our weaknesses and strengths.

"Philosophy is born around the same time as democracy, as it implies personal thinking in contrast to worshiping established powers."

Philosophy and the clarification of concepts

Philosophy aims to clarify concepts and avoids relying solely on intuition.
It examines how people associate meanings with particular concepts.
Encourages logical analysis and prevents confusion caused by different interpretations.

"The explicit goal of analytic philosophy was the clarification of concepts."

Philosophy and its relation to society

Philosophy is intricately connected to society, not detached from it.
It helps us understand power dynamics, latent beliefs, and human behavior.
Philosophy is not limited to discussing current events but rather explores the larger questions behind them.

"Philosophy might not strictly involve discussing events in China, but it does encompass questioning whether the end justifies the means and the nature of power."

Philosophy and history of philosophy

Philosophy and the history of philosophy are not the same.
Studying philosophy provides opportunities for critical thinking and understanding the world.
However, studying the history of philosophy may include outdated concepts and ideas.

"The history of philosophy contains a lot of philosophy, but not everything necessarily remains valuable today."

Science and Philosophy

Philosophy and science are similar in that they both use empirical and conceptual tools.
They differ in that philosophy tackles more general concepts and theories.

"Science and philosophy are similar in that they apply the same empirical and conceptual instruments, and they differ in that philosophy addresses more general concepts and theories."

Complementarity between Science and Philosophy

The relationship between science and philosophy is complementary, not oppositional.
Philosophy provides theories, concepts, and arguments that are used by the sciences.
Science, in turn, informs philosophy and helps it progress.
New scientific developments challenge speculative philosophical ideas.

"The relation between science and philosophy is not one of opposition but complementarity. The results of philosophy - theories, concepts, and arguments - are used by the sciences. Conversely, science informs philosophy. Today's science serves as the starting point for tomorrow's philosophy. Additionally, philosophy detects conceptual and methodological problems in science, which stimulates the sciences to be more rigorous and advances their development. Some speculative philosophical ideas are discarded due to new scientific findings."

The Role and Accessibility of Philosophy

Philosophy is not just a theoretical discipline for specialists.
It is a practical discipline that teaches individuals to live more freely, to make better choices, and to question received ideas.
Philosophy helps us develop a worldview and construct visions of the world.
However, contemporary philosophy is often dominated by specialists, limiting its accessibility.

"Philosophy is not merely a theoretical and difficult-to-access discipline reserved for specialists. It is a practice that everyone can engage in. Philosophy teaches us to live, to feel free, to order our existence, and to make better choices. It helps us distinguish between what is beneficial and what is not. Philosophy is like a driver who guides us through the uncertainties and changes of life. Living without philosophy would be like living with our eyes closed. Unfortunately, philosophy is currently in the hands of specialists, and it thrives on doubt and skepticism. Those who are too certain about reality and themselves lead impoverished lives. Philosophy is a discipline that helps us live."

Philosophy and Knowledge

Philosophy is about the love of knowledge, rather than being a wise person.
It means pursuing wisdom and engaging with knowledge, even without possessing complete wisdom.

"To be a philosopher means to love knowledge, not to be wise. Etymologically, 'philosopher' means to yearn for wisdom and direct attention toward it, without possessing complete wisdom."

Philosophy, Dialogue, and Friendship

Philosophy is not possible without dialogue.
Philosophy and democracy originated around the same time because they both require conversation and debate.
Friendship is also closely connected to philosophy as it creates a network of people who strive for knowledge and may contribute to improving the world.

"There is no philosophy without dialogue. It is not a coincidence that philosophy and democracy were born in ancient Greece around the same time. Philosophy is also closely connected to friendship. Among those who love knowledge, there is an invisible network of people who may not know each other but are perhaps collectively working to make the world a better place."

Importance of Philosophy in Daily Life

Philosophy teaches us how to live.
It helps us question our basic beliefs about ourselves and our everyday lives.
It provides us with different perspectives and ways to navigate the uncertainties and changes of life.

"Philosophy is a great teacher of life. It enables us to feel free, to order our existence, and to direct our actions. It helps us distinguish between what should and should not be done. It takes the wheel and guides us through the uncertainties and changes of life. Living without philosophy is like living with your eyes closed."

Philosophy and Reality

Philosophy challenges received ideas and constructs worldviews.
Considering reality as fixed and unchanging is even worse than considering life as a dream.
Philosophy encourages us to question reality and engage in critical thinking.

"Philosophy questions received ideas and constructs worldviews. Considering reality as firm and unchanging is even worse than considering life as a dream. A philosopher is someone who loves knowledge, not someone who possesses complete wisdom. Therefore, philosophy encourages us to question reality and engage in critical thinking."