Philosophy

Abstract

A distinctive characteristic of philosophy is to ask about itself and to itself, from itself. This question, reflexiveby definition, can guide different paths throughout the history of Western philosophy, according to the aspectsemphasised by the different perspectives. In this paper we will focus on three different conceptions ofphilosophy: philosophy as rational thought, philosophy as care of the self, and philosophy as critique andtransformation. The aim of the text is to identify and analyse the meanings of philosophy at the basis of eachof these conceptions, taking into account different definitions provided from the ancient Greeks to philosophersof Nuestramérica. From there, the ultimate goal is to point out that the search for a single definition ofphilosophy seems doomed to failure, but that, far from being discouraging, this can be a very valuable startingpoint for understanding that the different senses of philosophy have enormous potential regarding ourtheoretical, but also practical and vital interests.