The ‘How’ and ‘Why’ to study History of Philosophy

Philosophy is a very difficult subject to many of the college students. Other branches under the topic are being marginalized in the priority and interest of the learner. And the burden of bringing the discipline to them lies on the teachers. It is the task of the teacher, with patience and endurance, to make philosophy meaningful in the learning endeavor of the students.

But Frederick Copleston, S.J., author of many history books on philosophy offers some ways on how and why to study philosophy. They are effective means to come to the holistic knowledge of philosophy, and somehow plants the seed of interest and appreciation of philosophy.

The ‘HOW’ to study philosophy

First, the reader must consider the historical setting. One must study how idea of the philosopher developed through the influence of the environment. His idea must be understood in connection to his own milieu. It is precisely that the thinker and his own thinking are not isolated from the reality of time and place.

Second, the reader must possess a bit of sympathy, a sort of psychological approach to the thinker and his thinking. One must be able to enter the system of the thinker and be absorbed somehow. Simple to say, one must be able to go down to his level for better understanding what is on his mind.

Third, if one desires to be a specialist in one philosophical method, he must get deeper into the system of the thinker. One has to make a necessary pause at a certain period of the history of philosophy to possess a well-rounded understanding of the whole system of a particular thinker. He must venture in studying the philosopher’s language, his expertise, etc.

The ‘WHY’ to study philosophy

First, we study to learn from their mistakes and right. History is undeniably rich in knowledge. It teaches us to look into the past knowledge and use them what is still applicable to our present situation as solution to the current problem. Otherwise the only option left is to develop a new solution by utilizing the present resources at hand.

And secondly is to see the development of philosophy where some new ideas are accepted and added, some being rejected and replaced anew, and some ideas become the point of departure and some as point of continuation.

Knowledge of the Experts

This area of concern is what I call Doing Epistemology. It is a field in philosophy wherein the manner of knowing something or of one’s concern is being investigated. There are many ways of getting to know things or realities that attract our interest. However my article focuses on one certain area which is somehow related to our traditional way of life.

In matters of life’s concern, nowadays, seldom do people take a serious step with it. As some would say ‘life is so short’ so live life to the fullest with wise decision and discernment. In life it does not matter only the ‘what is’ but it’s the ‘what there is.’ It is a kind of knowledge that only few wants to possess it, learn from it, and perfect it. There are only few because it seems to be old-fashioned, obsolete or non-modern. But the fact is, it is more than knowledge; it is wisdom. But people in our day would resort for some pieces of advice from their friends, closed buddies and other figures who they regard as ‘knowledgeable’ in any particular field. Yet the questions remain: are they enough, or suffice for what they seek for in life for improvement?

Knowledge derive from them may be considered skin-deep. They may have read some good books, be specialists about the subject matter but this seems to be inadequate. They may have collections of theories, tested with scientific procedures but if it is with plain experience is still consider implausible. Our Filipino tradition tells us that we should learn to take good care of the old people in our society for their physical presence doesn’t indicate that they are weak and inutile, but since they have been here in this world for a long time before we came into existence, they would have possessed, perhaps, some varying degree of wisdom.

The wisdom that they have possessed and experienced could not be exchanged with multi-awarded royalty of publishing books. Theirs are real praxis who dwelt, felt the pain, stayed through thick and thin, and lived with all the hassle on subject about life for such a long time. Thus if we want to know the wisdom of celibacy, go to the religious people; if the subject is about teaching, see a teacher; or about love, consult one’s parents who happen or about to celebrate and renew their love and commitment for each other. Wisdom with long lived experience could not be compared to wisdom acquired through a lot of reading materials. The pragmatic adage experience is the best teacher sums the thought of this insight. Use our judgment when we seek for knowledge from the experts who are but successful in particular field or aspect of life.