Few of the "mere mortals" know what philosophy is like science. This is not just ranting about the meaning of life, etc. Philosophy is the source of all the sciences known today. In literal translation, philosophy denotes a love of wisdom. What does philosophy study? Why is it needed in the scientific space? This article will examine the subject of philosophy and its functions.
Philosophy as the science of the universal
The object of study of philosophers is the whole world as a whole. Accordingly, the subject of science consists of several blocks, namely, the doctrine of being (ontology); doctrine of knowledge (epistemology); the person himself; the society in which he lives. As you can see, not mathematics is the “queen of sciences”, but philosophy. The subject, methods, functions of philosophy affect all human relations with the world, society, nature and himself. All other sciences gradually emerged from the depths of philosophy.
What functions does philosophy have
In order to study science in detail, it is necessary to consider in detail the subject of philosophy and its functions. The subject has already been identified, now we turn to the functions that philosophy as a science performs. So:
-
Worldview function. Philosophy forms a person’s concept of the world as a single whole, a person begins to operate with such a concept as a picture of the world.
- The function of social criticism forms a critical view of a person’s social position, forcing him to analyze the facts.
- The methodological function of philosophy forms the general patterns of knowledge in a person. These research schemes are common to all private sciences.
- The constructive function is expressed in the ability to predict future events.
- An ideological function is the formation of beliefs and ideals.
- Intelligent function. The subject is forming the ability to theoretical thinking.
- The function of reflection of culture. Philosophy is the spiritual foundation of society, expresses its ideals.
So, the subject of philosophy, its main functions were considered, now we turn to the methods.
Philosophy Methodology
There are several ways of cognition, research in philosophy. Firstly, to study the subject of philosophy and its functions, dialectics is used. The dialectical method involves a flexible, critical consideration of phenomena in the totality of their contradictions and cause-effect relationships. The opposite method is metaphysics. Phenomena in this case are considered as single, static, isolated and unambiguous phenomena. The third method of philosophy is dogmatism, which involves the knowledge of the world through a combination of dogmas (unprovable, given above prescriptions).
Eclecticism is the fourth method of philosophy, based on a comparison of objects, concepts, facts that do not have a single beginning. This method is not the best way reflects the subject of philosophy and its functions and is currently often used in advertising. The next, fifth method of philosophical knowledge is sophistry. This method is based on the derivation of new knowledge from false premises. Such knowledge will be formally true, but in fact false. Sophistry does not lead to knowledge of the truth, but successfully helps to win the argument. And finally, the sixth method of philosophical knowledge is hermeneutics. It is used to correctly interpret and read the meaning of various texts.
