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Questions about Philosophy

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Who coined the word philosophy and when did it enter English?

The term philosophy was likely coined by the pre-Socratic philosopher Pythagoras, though this is not certain. The word entered the English language primarily from Old French and Anglo-Norman starting around 1175 CE.

When did Western philosophy originate and which philosophers shaped its early development?

Western philosophy originated in Ancient Greece in the 6th century BCE with the pre-Socratics. Socrates lived from 469 to 399 BCE, Plato lived from 427 to 347 BCE, and Aristotle lived from 384 to 322 BCE.

What are the main subfields of philosophy and what does each study?

Epistemology studies knowledge and truth while ethics investigates moral principles and right conduct. Logic examines correct reasoning and metaphysics explores the general features of reality existence objects and properties.

How has philosophy influenced political movements and revolutions throughout history?

Ideals formulated in Enlightenment philosophy laid the foundation for constitutional democracy and played a role in the American Revolution and the French Revolution. Marxist philosophy contributed to the Russian Revolution and the Chinese Communist Revolution while Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence shaped the Indian independence movement.

Which specific dates define the lives of key figures in Arabic and Indian philosophy traditions?

Al-Kindi lived from 801 to 873 CE and Avicenna lived from 980 to 1037 CE within the Islamic philosophical tradition. Buddhism was founded by Gautama Siddhartha who lived from 563 to 483 BCE and Jainism was founded by Mahavira who lived from 599 to 527 BCE.