The Nature and Ironic Story of Philosophy
What philosophy truly is remains uncertain, yet speaking as if concepts have fixed meanings is a fundamental aspect of human nature. Philosophy is not “one single thing”; like most words, it can take on different meanings. However, people tend to act as if they have reached an agreement, using temporary meanings as if they were permanent. The meaning we assign today may change in the future, yet we accept its current definition as though it were fixed.
Philosophy originally emerged as a reaction to myths—stories passed down through word of mouth. Ironically, over time, it has itself become a myth built upon second-hand narratives. From its inception to the present, philosophy has meant different things at different times. It started with one meaning, evolved into another, and ultimately transformed into something entirely new. While philosophy critiques misnaming, it has paradoxically become the name for misnaming itself. At times, it has been associated with religiosity, at others with irreligion; sometimes with religion itself, and at other times with its criticism. Like any concept, the history of philosophy is complex—open-ended like all human endeavors, yet marked by distinct standards like every form of living action.
The word “philosophy” originates from Greek, meaning “love of wisdom.” However, this Greek term was adopted by other nations and used in different ways. In its original Greek sense, it referred to the pursuit of deeper knowledge. The first philosophers were not even aware that they were philosophers. Like many other words, “philosophy” was a rough designation, open to various interpretations. Even among philosophers, disagreements were common, with some accusing others of not being true philosophers. This was natural because every concept is constructed and open-ended. As a result, a Greek term, philosophy, has been used more widely and in more varied ways in other languages than in Greek itself.
The Beginning of Philosophy and the Search for Arche
The story of philosophy is one of ironic transformation. Two and a half thousand years ago, as in any politically organized society, myths formed the foundation of religion and politics in Greece. Myths were narratives to which people unknowingly conformed. Even today, many societies and individuals rely on this method in various aspects of life. However, a group of individuals began questioning these explanations. Many people in different societies have engaged in similar questioning, but philosophers are recognized for conducting systematic and in-depth inquiries. This is why we use the Greek word “philosophy” in most languages today.
The initial problem of the philosophers was the issue of “origin” (arche). Instead of explaining everything through gods, they sought a fundamental natural substance as the origin of all things. In other words, they moved from unverifiable divine claims to verifiable natural explanations. Similar efforts have been made in other societies, but Mediterranean civilization inherited this tradition from Greece, and world cultures largely took the Greek tradition as their foundation. According to many scholars, Greek philosophers went beyond their time, preventing other societies from fully developing this line of thought on their own.
The Alternative to Philosophy: Myths and Simplicity
We can better understand philosophy by considering its alternative modes of explanation. Before philosophy existed, what did people do? Those who did not engage in philosophical inquiry followed myths—stories passed down by word of mouth. This is similar to our natural tendency to simplify things. In many areas of life, we do not seek expertise or details. For example, to understand a disease, we use simplified analogies like comparing brain cells to people. We teach children numbers by associating them with concrete objects. Most of us do not engage deeply with cosmology, instead relying on personified, analogy-based narratives about the universe’s origins.
Looking beyond appearances and thinking deeply is something we rarely do unless absolutely necessary. But do we deserve such a fictionalized and instrumentalized life? If we consider the possibility that we might be the villains in our own stories, even this lifestyle may seem overly generous to us. Philosophers, however, have been the ones who contemplate this possibility, making a habit of identifying the manipulative aspects of the narratives we are told. This is likely why societies—perhaps justifiably—have often rejected philosophy, as it challenges the myths that provide comfort and stability.
Rethinking Philosophy
In a tradition with hundreds of different definitions, perhaps one of the few universally accepted actions is the act of rethinking. If we do not want philosophy to become another myth, it is time to rethink it. We must reconsider the definition of philosophy and ensure that philosophy itself is included in the process of rethinking.
