The science of philosophy is, definitely, the source from which all sciences appeared. In this respect, it is necessary to admit philosophical branches that are considered to be the constituent parts of the whole science per se. In fact, philosophy spreads over the main features of peoples’ living, knowing, and acting (Russel 2004). Thereupon, the overall survey on the philosophy should encompass the set of the main branches that help philosophy discover every sphere of life and human activities. The theoretical approach is taken in the paper in order to give a reason for the objectiveness of philosophy division into appropriate branches or parts.
To make it clear, the whole discussion leads toward the descriptive analysis of the constituent parts in philosophy. In other words, the question is that the progress of human thought has been developing evolutionary. Thus, it touched upon the entire area of issues to be taken into account by any among individuals. The first reason is that a man is a biosocial creature who is associated with the society and mechanisms going on in it. The ideas of a man can go beyond the horizons of current knowledge and experience. Thus, in the course of time, humanity grounded the assumptions (theories, treatises, hypotheses) on the essence of being. On the other hand, human beings needed to overwhelm the tools for growing intellectually. As a result, they should have invented the regulations to behave and act in society without violating its harmony.
One of the concise definitions of what philosophy is can give reasons on the aspects of its main branches. Hence, “philosophy is the systematic inquiry into the principles and presuppositions of any field of study” (Pratt 2005). Once one conveys this definition in particular, it becomes clear to him/her what the pivotal parts of philosophy might be discussed in detail.
As was aforementioned, the main approaches of philosophy are to delineate the features of being, knowing, and doing. One should begin with the philosophical branch of axiology. This is the study of value that surpasses the ability of a man to reason over the universe and its state on the whole (Pratt 2005). It also means that a moral state of a human being is the main prerogative for the further development and prosperity (mental, material, spiritual) in life. This branch of philosophy is frequently concerned by some authors with metaphysics (Johnston 2006). Metaphysics makes out the essence of being as such.
Axiology has two main parts which give exhaustive information on how to find harmony within a man’s innermost reality, namely: ethics and aesthetics (Pratt 2005). The first branch of philosophy deals with moral problems and states of man’s behavior. The second branch is concerned with the philosophy of art at large (Pratt 2005). Nonetheless, these bordering areas of experience cover moral states and behaviors in humans and the ability to justify and adore arts trying to reach out the sphere of love and masterpiece. It was begotten once in the minds of most eminent Greek philosophers (Socrates, Pluto, Aristotle) and then it went over a new branch of philosophy.
Metaphysics is the study looking at being as being in terms of first principles and first causes and different speculations on them (Johnston 2006). This branch of philosophy led people to realize the complicated nature of the universe by means of assumptive claims when there is not enough information to state the opposite opinion. This branch also investigates the realities somewhere beyond peoples’ reason.
Epistemology is the study pointing out how people know things (Johnston 2006). This is the sphere of applied knowledge to evaluate and describe the algorithms of how something happens in relationships between individuals. On the other hand, it can touch upon the phenomena going on in nature. Nonetheless, epistemology discloses the way to think of human nature and other peculiarities of essence that are supposed to have an individual destination in life (Velasquez 2007). In fact, epistemology encounters the problems of nature, the universe, different complicated and inexplicable processes in it as well as the limits of human knowledge to date (Russel 2004). This study is grounded on the universally stated truth. However, epistemology also learns the nature of doubts on whether a human being is familiar with some definite things and processes apparent in life.
Politics is another philosophical branch that can be considered the youngest (or the last) in the hierarchy of sequential emergence of the aforementioned branches in philosophy. Political studies teach people how to act upon the prescriptions of law. Political philosophy learns the issues of duties, obligations, and rights of human beings living in the society (Johnston 2006). In this case, political studies enrich the philosophy with concrete norms of law overwhelming the humanity in the world. Based on debatable and deeply realized ways for reasonable actions among citizens, political philosophy illuminates the optional and mandatory perspectives on how to act properly. The study of human nature is one more branch of philosophy that encompasses the issues of the mortal body and immortal soul, the changeability and unpredictability of human characters, etc. To have an idea of human nature means to be able to reason over humanity as such (Russel 2004).
To conclude, the development of philosophical science was gradual. It started from a man’s reasoning over the gist of life, the natural order, and how things around came out to be so unique. These ontological touches required the development of metaphysical science. Moreover, the area of human knowledge needed more attention from philosophers in their treatises and opinions on life processes whenever they take place. Epistemology played a significant role in finding out reasonable or logical explanations to what is going on in the universe at large. Finally, political philosophy emphasized the way human beings should act appropriately in society.
References
Johnston, Derek. A brief history of philosophy: from Socrates to Derrida. New York, NY: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2006.
Pratt. The Divisions and Definition of Philosophy. 2005. Web.
Russel, Bertran. The problems of philosophy. New York: Barnes & Noble Publishing, 2004.
Velasquez, Manuel. Philosophy: A Text with Readings. 11. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 2007.