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What Is Philosophy

The module on the Philosophy of Christian Education explores the definition and significance of philosophy, emphasizing its etymology as the 'love of knowledge' and its role as an academic discipline. It discusses various philosophical perspectives, including the relationship between science and religion, and highlights the inquiries philosophy addresses regarding human existence, knowledge, and morality. Additionally, it categorizes philosophy into three major areas: metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology, while also outlining the attitudes and activities associated with philosophical inquiry.

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16 views3 pages

What Is Philosophy

The module on the Philosophy of Christian Education explores the definition and significance of philosophy, emphasizing its etymology as the 'love of knowledge' and its role as an academic discipline. It discusses various philosophical perspectives, including the relationship between science and religion, and highlights the inquiries philosophy addresses regarding human existence, knowledge, and morality. Additionally, it categorizes philosophy into three major areas: metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology, while also outlining the attitudes and activities associated with philosophical inquiry.

Uploaded by

misheck
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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EDFN 111: PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MODULE

THIS MODULE SHOULD BE USED TOGETHER WITH THE COURSE OUTLINE


FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW CONCEPTS ARE ARRANGED IN THE
MODULE.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1. WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?


A.THE ETYMOLOGICAL DEFINITIONS
 The term is derived from a Greek word which itself was made up of two words, mainly:
i. ‘Philos’-meaning love.
ii. ‘Sophia’- meaning all knowledge.
 When the two are put together they from ‘philosophia’ meaning love of knowledge or
wisdom.
 People get knowledge through asking qu.estions and trying to provide the answers.
 Philosophical inquiry is therefore the search for complete truth or quest for ultimate
reality.
 Limpman (1991) says philosophy is an inquiry based on logical reasoning.
 Gwarinda (1985) defined philosophy as an academic discipline characterized by logical,
consistent and systematic thinking so that conclusions that are reached are sound,
coherent and consistent.
 It is argued that philosophy is something intermediate between science and theology.
 Like theology it consists of speculations on matter.
 Like philosophy it appeals to reason and validation.
B. THE PROFESSIONAL/ACADEMIC STANCE
 In this stance, philosophy is viewed as an academic discipline.
 It is characterized by logical, consistent and systematic thinking over fundamental
issues.
 The aim of this thinking is to arrive at conclusions that are sound, coherent and
consistent.
 A student of philosophy becomes a critical, reflective, disciplined, rigorous and a
logical thinker on fundamental issues facing humanity.
 The main tool for the rigorous philosophical activity is reasoning and logical
reasoning.
 In this sense philosophy is divided into four main broad categories which have been
called philosophical branches or perspectives.
C. PHILOSOPHICAL STANCE
- It is a mental attitude between science and religion. It is concerned with factual
evidence about the world. (science). As religion it is all about the nature of God and
Man.
- It is a way of simplifying complex ideas and statements about our experiences in life
in order to make us understand them fully.
- It is a study that examines the nature of the world and the reasons behind many things
and events happening in it.
- It is a sum total of what a person accepts as guiding principles to act in a particular
way at different times, places and circumstances.

Defining the word philosophy is not easy because philosophy is approached from different
disciplines. Each philosopher approaches it from their own experiences. Philosophy therefore
can be thought of in 3 aspects: an activity, an attitude and a body of content (subject knowledge).

1. Thomas Aquinas, George Berkeley and Soren Kierkegoard define philosophy as a means
of defending religion and dispelling anti- religious errors because they believed in
materialism and rationalism.
2. Pythagoras, Rene Descartes and Bertrand Russel (mathematicians) defined it based on
mathematics.
3. Thomas Hobbes, J.J. Rousseau and John Mills approached the definition from politics.
4. Socrates and Plato approached it from the side of ethics
5. Francis Bacon and Alfred North approached it from metaphysics OR the natural
composition of the world. There were other philosophers who defined the word based on
Aesthetics, Epistemology, Logic, Anthropology, analytical philosophy etc.
All in all, philosophy has to do with the following inquiries;
- Explanation of why man occupies the position they occupy in the world.
- Explanation of the nature of knowledge and its relevance.
- Explanation about the existence of God and other divine forces.
- Explanation of human existence and existence of other objects.
- Explanation about social behavior and the standards of ‘good’ or ‘bad’, ‘right or
‘wrong’.
Philosophy looked at as content has been categorized into three major areas namely;
metaphysics, epistemology and axiology.
When viewed as an attitude it exposes the following attitudes; Flexibility, self-
awareness, comprehensiveness and penetrative(ness).
When viewed as an activity it does the following activities; Synthesizing, analyzing,
speculation, Prescription. Today most philosophers have confined themselves to only
analyzing.

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