What is my Philosophy?

Term Paper # 101642

Philosophy
Philosophy > Ethics
Philosophy > Religion
Philosophy > Science

A discussion of one individual's desire to find his own life philosophy.

2,572 words () | 13 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper attempts to answer the writer's question, "what is my philosophy?" The paper explains that as individuals our thought process and quest for truth is determined by our history and trying to summarize one's philosophy is a feat, but the path and journey to seeking this knowledge shapes the philosophical development of any individual. The writer believes that a theoretical examination of the history of philosophy and the major thinkers and theories is insufficient, and in order to truly define one's philosophy one has to demand to know the manner in which actions/history is to be studied.

Outline:
Introduction
The Being of Me: What Do I Believe In?
What If God Was One of Us? Does God Exist?
Into the New Age: Who or What Shapes my Formal Philosophical Thinking?
The Implications of Science: Is Science a Source of Destruction?
Practicing Philosophy

From the Paper:

"In such a diverse world, with the many angles that exist, it is very hard to pick a side and to stay on that side. Most often than not, individuals prefer to find forces that can explain their actions. Is it logical to think that as humans, we are alone by ourselves, and life exists without meaning [existential atheists] or a meaning that we cannot understand [existential theists]? I personally refuse to believe this and reject the notion that the individual defines everything and the search for logic and rationality is not futile. If I subjected myself to the existentialist viewpoint, I would not have a reason to explore the world, to seek answers to acquire knowledge, or to pursue happiness."

Sample of Sources Used:

Abbagnano, N. "Positivism," Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 6, Paul Edwards, ed., New York, NY: Macmillan, 1967.
Blacker, David. "Education as Immortality: Toward the Rehabilitation of an Ideal." Religious Education. Winter 1998: 8-29.
Carnap, R. "Testability and Meaning," Philosophy of Science, 1936 3, 419-71.
Carnap, R. (1953), "Testability and Meaning," in Readings in the Philosophy of Science, Herbert Feigel and May Broddeck, eds., New York, NY: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 47-92, 1953.
Feyerabend, P. Farewell to Reason, London, UK: Verso, 1987.