Philosophy

Abstract

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