NATURE AND MEANING OF PHILOSOPHY I) Introduction:Since the creation of man in the world, constant efforts have been made

to understand man, his origin, his aim, his relationship with god, his destiny etc. & this constant effort of man to understand reality may be termed as philosophy. II) Nature of philosophy:1) Philosophy is systematic enquiry about the ultimate reality of the universe. 2) Philosophy is study of general principles & understanding of all that comes in the range of human experience. III) Etymological meaning:1)Greek origin :- Philos --- love Sophia---wisdom i.e. Philosophy = love for wisdom. Sanskrit origin :- drish = means to seei.e. Darshan = knowledge of reality. IV) Definitions:Indian philosophers: 1.) Dr. Radhakrishnan : Critical exposition of reality. 2) Dr. Baldev upadhyaya : Methodical training or Sadhana.

Western Philosophers: 1) Raymant : An unceasing effort to discover the general truth that lies behind the particular facts. 2) John Dewey: Critical reviewing of the familiar things. 3) Alexander: It is metaphysics & also an attempt to study comprehensive topics like reality and universe. V) Characteristics of Philosophy:1) It is a living force. 2) It is way of life. 3) It is oldest & original discipline of thought. 4) It is search for truth & reality. 5) It is based on inquiry about life & existence. 6) It is logical in its approach. 7) It is ever growing & developing.

VI) Scope of philosophy:1) Fields Philosophy of Art. Philosophy of Literature. Political philosophy.

Philosophy of Economics. Philosophy of History.

2) Schools of Philosophy: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 3) Idealism Naturalism Realism Pragmatism Existentialism Branches of philosophy:

Metaphysics (Nature of reality)

Epistemology Axiology (Theory of (Values) Knowledge)

Ethics Aesthetics Logic (Theory of morality) (Discussion of beauty) (Thoughts & reasoning) VII) The nature of Indian Philosophy: 1) Concept of knowledge - Vedas are the main source of knowledge having

Mantras

Brahamanas

Upanishadas

Four types of Vedas

a) Rigveda

b) Atharva veda

C) Samveda

D) Yajurveda

Philosophy enunciated in Veda-divided into six divisions Shasht Darshan

Shasht Darshan Vaisheshika Yoga Nyaya Samkya Vedant Concept of Reality / truth 1)Individual understands eternal reality through Nishkama Karma. 2)Education helps the individuals to understand the ultimate reality asedn is aimed at the all round development of individual & equipping him to attain 4 purusharthasDharma, Artha, Kama & Moksha which in turn being about purity of their karma. 1)Concept of values 1)Indian philosophers believe in 3 eternal values truth, beauty, goodness. 2)Education helps the individual to inculcate their eternal values. 3)Ancient Indian philosophy of education believed in inculcation of following values. A) Liberation : of the individual from the ignorance. B)Tolerance & foreberance for every individual as everthing in the world is manifestation of Brahma & hence is worth of respect & regard. C) Disinterested divot. Or (Nishkama Bhakti)

REFERENCES 1) Aggarwal j.c:

Theory and principles of Education; Philosophical and Sociological bases of Education. 2) Bhatia b.d. : The theory and principles of Education. 3)Safaya, r.n. &Shaida, B.D.: Development of Educational theory and 4)Arora k.l.: Education in the emerging Indian society. 5) Bokil, v.p: Foundations of Education.

practice.