To understand the art and science of philosophy, or even to become a philosopher one must understand that “philosophy” is as much a verb as it is a noun. We define philosophy as the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence.[1] This is an interesting definition, because reality and experience are often a catalyst for increased knowledge. 

We often discuss our opinions and views with each other and refer to them as our philosophy of whatever it is we are discussing. In order to have a philosophy on any given subject we must also “do” philosophy as a process to hopefully achieve an end result or identifiable position.

Our various philosophies help us determine our total worldview in the general sense of the definition. In the classic sense of the definition each person actually has a worldview. Some people are consciously aware of their own personal world view while others are not as cognitive about where their personal ideals have formed their worldview.     

A personal world view is a series of conclusions that basically answer four primary questions we all face in life. They are as follows: 1). Where did I come from? (a question of origin.) 2). Why am I here? (a question of purposeful meaning) 3). How am I going to chose to live my life? (a question of morality and ethics) 4). Where am I going? (a question of final destiny). While the answers to these four questions make up our own personal worldview, our worldview does not and cannot encompass all of the specific philosophies we may “do” or “have” in our lives.

Philosophy is usually viewed as a very skeptical process and may appear to be very negative and critical in its end results. Although this is not always the case, it is what we tend to picture philosophy to be more than not. What we must remember is that “philosophy” is not another word for skepticism or critical though applications, although skepticism is often required in the development of various philosophies.  

Often times the use of skepticism in doing philosophy or developing a philosophy on any given subject is simply a tool for one to break down various systems in the particular field of study. The skeptical process helps break whatever it is that is under examination down into more understandable units. Sometimes if skeptical or critical questions are not asked, the real understanding of issues and matters cannot be quickly or properly found or exposed. Yet, the ability to understand something is not the end goal of philosophy. 

To be an effective process, philosophy must contain elements of assessment, argument and evaluation. These can all closely connected to skepticism and critical thought. But to determine an end or conclusive statement to a particular philosophy might be as difficult as figuring out which came first – the chicken or the egg.

Ultimately this is why philosophy and perception appear to be contributing elements to each other. Perception is a fundamental philosophical topic both for its central place in any theory of knowledge and its central place in any theory of consciousness.[2] In this definition we can see that perception is directly related to three interlocking components of thought and human psychology – those being philosophy, knowledge and consciousness.