Philosophy is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, value, mind, and language. It is a rational and critical inquiry that reflects on its own methods and assumptions. The term "philosophy" literally means "love of wisdom". In a broad sense, philosophy is an activity people undertake when they seek to understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world in which they live, and their relationships to the world and to each other. Philosophical inquiry is a central element in the intellectual history of many civilizations.
Philosophy is traditionally divided into major areas of study, including:
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Metaphysics: The study of the nature of reality, of what exists in the world, what it is like, and how it is ordered. In metaphysics, philosophers wrestle with questions such as: Is there a God? What is truth? What is a person? What makes a person the same through time? Is the world strictly composed of matter? Do people have minds? If so, how is the mind related to the body?
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Epistemology: The study of knowledge, including its nature, sources, and limits. Epistemologists ask questions such as: What is knowledge? How is knowledge acquired? What are the limits of knowledge?
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Ethics: The study of moral values and principles, including questions about what is right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust. Ethicists ask questions such as: What is the nature of morality? What are our moral obligations? How should we live our lives?
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Logic: The study of reasoning and argumentation. Logicians ask questions such as: What makes an argument valid or sound? What are the different types of reasoning? How can we evaluate arguments?
Philosophy has a long history and is a parent of most scientific disciplines. Philosophical thinking is found in all parts of the world, present, and past.
