Patterns of Philosophy

In class we were asked to come up with a definition of philosophy. There were several answers that seemed to hit on the same general idea. One girl even mentioned it being a sort of "vanity" in some cases. It seemed like most of the class agreed in their slightly differing interpretations of philosophy. It may be incorrect to add to the definition, but one aspect that I often associate with philosophy is its tendency to follow a sort of pattern, a pattern of when it is or is not more likely to be a popular interest for people. Philosophy, when the subject is compared from different time periods, often seems to show up as a sort of "diagnosis" of popular belief on a particular subject being deemed questionable to a certain person or group of peoples. They then, in the most descriptive and articulate way possible, attempt to propose a more "refined" remedy to the issue. Some philosophies are widely ridiculed, others may go on to trigger a revolutionary way of thinking. Nicolaus Copernicaus diagnosed the Ptolemaic model of the solar system with having many discrepancies, one being the Earth as the center of the solar system. As a result, he came up with theories to support his own refined model of the solar system. If it weren't for Copernicaus, we might still believe that the Sun revolves around us. Ideas of Voltaire and other thinkers of the European Enlightenment diagnosed society with a tremendous lack in civil liberties. Voltaire's outspoken ability to engage the public, was a pivotal factor in popular ideologies of the American and French Revolution. His ideas helped to give the public an "improved" government and society to fight for. The philosophies of Gnadhi in the early 20th century during the independence movement of India were remedies in response to a diagnosis of a tyranical and violent government. His solutions to the corrupt government grew to be an emence civil rights movent that would ultimately gain India Independence. These are just a few examples of philosophies being a sort of "reformed" way of addressing what a thinker might see as a flawed way of going about things. These examples also form a pattern of philosophy and its role in society. It seems to be most popular in a periods of restlessness and skepticism. During these time periods, people tend to have problems with certain ideas that often tend to be popularly agreed on. For better or for worse, people come up with a solution as a result of their own aversion.