## Outline > - 0 Why Philosophy is the most important thing in life? > - 1 What are we actually discussing when talking about philosophy > - 2 What calls for Thinking? ## 0 **PHILOSOPHY?** > Philosophy is a practice of seeking understanding towards the truth. It all started from Metaphysics, which is the practice trying to answer the question “What is reality”. Later on, the pursuit expands to question like “who we are” (Ontology) and “how do we know about the world” (Epistemology) downstream the tradition. **PHILOSOPHY IS / NOT** > To be a philosopher, one sees ‘understanding’ as the top goal in life and live accordingly. > - Philosophy is not Oratory (Debate/Persuasion). Philosophers don’t simply ask questions and argue. We aim for reaching the truth (the ultimate good), and respect reasons. > - Philosopher doesn’t investigate like a scientist. Modern science builds its theories on empirical experimentation. But philosophy, as its goal is achieving understanding, builds theories through arguments and reason. > - Philosophy is a big deal. Philosophers care about the truth (and meaning) of those fundamental questions (eg. our selves, death, knowledge). And therefore philosophy is not just another discipline like physics, literature critique, for what we know and experience depends on the ground laid by philosophical questions.