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| Socrates with a disciple and Diotima, Franc Kavčič, 1810, National Gallery of Slovenia |
Philosophy, from the Greek philo (love) and sophia (wisdom), the inquiry into the nature of things through logical reasoning and moral self-reasoning vice empirical methodology, encompasses academic disciplines of metaphysics, epistemology, logic, and axiology (ethics and aesthetics).
The evaluation of these disciplines are the elements which form a Philosophical Inventory, or foundation upon which ideology is established, and the beneficial practice of periodic assertion of theory assists in either refining or re-formulating world view as relentless, continuing pursuit of knowledge is by definition, practice of philosophy.
Metaphysical - What is real?
Epistemological - What is true?
Ethical - How should we live?
Aesthetic - What is beauty?
Studying the significant historical events, scientific discoveries, and
movements in art concurrent with the rise of varying philosophies
indicates the complex and convoluted relationship of evolution of human
wisdom and its impact upon civilization. Study of one field without
understanding its context in relation to the others would be futile and in evaluation of theory performed in answering the questions posed in a philosophical inventory, one would need to consider context when making arguments.
From the Archives: My First Philosophical Inventory (3rd Year Undergraduate)
On the first day of class, my professor handed out a syllabus and these four questions, to which we were expected to respond to the best of our ability. It was the first of many inventories we would complete throughout the course of study as our young minds were made familiar with the differing philosophical theories as laid out in the works of the masters as well as the study of logic and rhetoric.
As we worked through the syllabus and Arguments and Their Evaluation, some students would find a radical shift in their views, and some would find their positions bolstered with their ability to argue the validity of those positions improved.
Although I cringe at my lack of cogency and structure in arguing my ill-defined philosophy in my maiden inventory now, my actual views have not changed inordinately and I plan on completing (and posting) a current inventory in the coming weeks which will hopefully show vast improvement in my ability to argue position.
What is real? What is truly real can never be understood because perception is relative and reality is unchanging, indestructible, and impossible for the human eye to observe without altering the very nature of existence or the human mind to comprehend.
How can we know? We can only know what we perceive and experience. We may accept unperceived truths based upon faith, but doubt in faith will always exist.
How should we live? We should strive to live a good life benefiting both individual and society. We should understand our existence relative to that of others, our identity and purpose within groups, and that consequences of our actions will extend beyond the self.
What is beauty? Beauty in its natural state can serve as inspiration to live a good life. Only true beauty is not that which is perceived, but occurs in a natural state and is enduring.
