The study of the fundamental nature of existence, knowledge, and reality through the exploration of reason and the human mind is known as philosophy. Philosophy differs from more modern metaphysical studies of “the meaning of life” in that it takes a rational and logical approach to issues rather than a spiritual one. Anyone interested in the subject can study philosophy in a classroom setting or at their own pace outside of the classroom.
Philosophical research has been carried out academics for thousands of years. As far back as we have written records, there is extensive evidence that academics from both eastern and western cultures studied philosophy. Beginning with presocratic philosophy before the 6th century B.C. and continuing through the Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman eras, Western philosophy is divided into eras. Eastern philosophy, which includes philosophers from Asia, India, Pakistan, and the Middle East, dates back even further.
A degree in philosophy is available to anyone who wishes to study philosophy professionally. A bachelor’s degree in philosophy, or its equivalent, is available at almost all major universities around the world. In the United States, a student can pursue a master’s or doctorate degree in philosophy to further his or her education. The majority of students choose to specialize in a particular branch of philosophy, such as ethics, logic, or aesthetics. Within the field of philosophy, social and political philosophy have grown in popularity.
While pursuing a degree is an excellent way to learn more about this subject, it is not required to study philosophy. Anyone with a passion for philosophy can study it from the comfort of their own home. Numerous books have been written on the subject, including reproductions of ancient texts famous philosophers as well as modern interpretations of those texts. In most cases, enrolling in a philosophy class at a local college does not require you to be a degree-seeking student.
Whether you’re interested in philosophy as a career or just for fun, it’s best to focus your research so you don’t become overwhelmed. For example, a student may wish to begin his or her studies focusing on eastern or western philosophy. From there, the study can be narrowed even further focusing on a particular period of philosophy, such as Greek philosophy, or a specific topic, such as ethics.