Topics Philosophy

Question Is there a particular area of philosophy that studies or classifies the different kinds of theoretical problems in which philosophy (or any other activity) focus on, mainly in terms of their internal structure, nature or any additional characteristic theoretical problems might present, including their solutions (when possible)? Is there an area of philosophy that studies, for example, the "form" of theoretical problems, so to speak, so philosophers can become familiar with different types of problems and thus suggest appropriate strategies when approaching other similar problems? Something that would get the philosopher a rough idea regarding the type of solution he or she should or should not expect from his/her investigations? Thanks for your time. (Juan J., philosophy enthusiast and future philosophy student!)

Accepted:
November 11, 2010

Comments

Dear Juan J., Thank you for your question! Philosophical reflection on philosophy is sometimes called meta-philosophy. There was a journal of that name that included philosophical reflection on such topics as the progress of philosophy and the challenges of arguing across philosophical frameworks. And some philosophers have famously set forth a whole system of inquiry and conclusions that address what you refer to as the form of problems and solutions, whether these concern the natural world or values or what today may be called theology, and so on. Aristotle was the first to do this with great systematic care. One can find deep progress on such matters in the work of Plato, but I suggest it was Aristotle who was able to be more systematic and comprehensive. Aquinas and Kant are also towering figures who articulated detailed, systematic accounts of philosopophical methodology as well as contributing to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and more. But as a philosophy enthusiast and future philosophy student, I suggest you might take advantage of the companion and handbook series published by Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Blackwell, and Routledge. These companions tend to be student-friendly and in every domain of philosophy, you will find outlines of the different schools of thought, historically and today. If you want a look at the big competing systems in metaphysics (the most comprehensive inquiry into the structure of reality), you might enjoy The Routledge Companion to Metaphysics edited by Robin Le Poidevin. Blackwell also has a useful Blackwell Companion to Philosophy that will provide you with a tour of all the main domains of philosophy, with attention to both substance and methodology.

Best of wishes and with the highest regards, Charles T.