Philosophy is a study whose main aim is to understand and explain the mysteries of reality and existence. It tries to unravel the nature of truth and knowledge and to find out the basic values and importance of life. Philosophy carefully examines the relationship that exists between nature and humanity and the relationship between an individual and society. The desire to know and understand, curiosity, and wonder are the main drives behind philosophy. In this respect therefore it is clear that philosophy is a process of analysis that involves criticism and interpretation in order to speculate a given topic.
The first known philosophers spent their life in the ancient Greek world in the early 500’s B.C. They tried to discover the intermediate composition of things and the world’s nature and reality. They sought answers on various subjects by thinking and studying nature. The greatest philosophers during the ancient time were three; Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato. Their contribution is in the field of philosophy is invaluable since a big chunk of ideas in various fields of study originated from their thought. It is from this perspective therefore that we have to look at how philosophy is important to us in our day-to-day life.
It is no doubt that philosophy forms an integral part of our society and it should not be seen as rhetoric, no wonder we cannot ignore the contributions made by it and the academicians associated with it. Philosophy is important to us in a number of ways which include:
Philosophy makes one think, this is because philosophy partially involves critical thinking which is understood as one’s ability to question the assumptions of someone else or one’s own and in the process, make discoveries and hopefully make articulations for good reasons for your position irrespective of your position. (Dave Yount 2001). This is because everyone has a position on every single issue that he or she defends. Defending the view requires the ability to reason, which is thinking of course, so as to understand what good and bad reasons are in order to find the best support for your position.
In addition, philosophy can be an effective tool used to convince people that the idea that you hold is right and that maybe the views held by your opponents are wrong. This involves giving convincing and satisfactory reasons as to why your idea stands as it is.
Philosophy is also important because it largely contributes to the full and effective growth of an individual which is crucial to oneself. Philosophy is thus for the intelligent and wise individuals who seek knowledge and relate it to the truth. (Sarah Ashfar 2007).
Philosophy also relates to the personal ordinary way of an individual’s thinking. Not only in the way of a person’s basic beliefs, attitudes, and opinions, but also the standards a person sets for him/herself and the people around them.
Philosophy on its part studies ethics which dwells on the study of happiness and the best available means of attaining it. This is of great importance because every person is interested in how to be happy, what happiness is, and the activities that should be undertaken so as to be happy.
Philosophy helps us to put aside some bad explanations through carefully examining the probable answers for solid and intact reasoning, and at the same time help us eliminate the bad assumptions. It is important to realize therefore that these lifelong philosophical skills are helpful irrespective of one’s position in society. (Dave Yount 2001).
It is also true that the study of philosophy plays a great role in developing intellectual abilities which are of importance to life in general, beyond the required skills and knowledge for any profession. This is because philosophy cultivates the capacities and the need for self-expression and reflection, for the trading of and debating ideas for the sake of life-long learning. (The Philosophy Major 1992).
Philosophy is extensively important because every institution of society is built on philosophic ideas; religion, law, business, education e.t.c and the difference in philosophic ideas has led to transformations and drastic changes in the systems of law.
Philosophy is also significant since a society’s education system follows the philosophic ideas of that particular society and thus the decision of what the children should be taught and for what purpose is reached.
In conclusion philosophy as a field of study is seen as one of the fundamentals of an upright and innovative society since it provokes critical thinking of those who study it. Maybe the best thing about philosophy is its relationship with other fields of study and how well this interrelationship works perfectly in an ideal society.
Reference
The Importance of Philosophy in Human Life. 2008. Web.
Dave Yount. (2001)The Importance of Philosophy or Why Should I Take Philosophy? 2008. Web.
Sarah Afshar(2007) The Importance of Philosophy. 2008. Web.