There are
three conceptions of philosophy. These are the following:
1. Philosophy as Wisdom: Philosophy as thoughtful response to a question or situation. It is of two types :
i.
Personal reflection on broad questions
ii.
Prophetic wisdoms
2. Philosophy as Ideology: It is a more highly organized body of opinion. It usually
serves programs of action and organizational needs.
3. Philosophy as Critical Inquiry: It treats knowledge as tentative. It is a method, not personal authority that establishes truth; it does not encourage us to become followers. Each person is required to think for himself/herself.
Emmanuel
Kant ascribed a “critical” function to philosophy that is inquiry. Philosophical
inquiry is reflection upon human experience in order to decipher the
fundamental principles of reality and principle of existence itself.
Methodology of Philosophical Research:
The
educational researches are designed to achieve following four objectives:
- To formulate new theory, principles and laws
- To establish new truth or reality
- To find out new facts
- To suggest new applications.
These
objectives are achieved by conducting Historical, Experimental Surveys, and
Philosophical Researches.
Major Approaches in Philosophical Research:
·
A System of Thought
·
A Critical Appraisal of the Thought of Great
Personage
The philosophical inquiry is usually made
at least into these following areas:
- Logic
- Metaphysics
- Epistemology
- Psychology
- Ethics
- Theodicy
- Aesthetic.
