Philosophy is a systematic study of fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, value, and mind. It is a rational and critical inquiry that reflects on its own methods and assumptions. Major branches of philosophy are epistemology, ethics, logic, and metaphysics. Epistemology studies what knowledge is and how to acquire it. Ethics investigates the principles of moral conduct. Logic is the study of correct reasoning. Metaphysics examines the most general features of reality. Philosophical methods include analysis of concepts and language, reliance on common sense and intuitions, use of thought experiments, description of experience, and critical questioning. Influential traditions are Western, Arabic–Persian, Indian, and Chinese philosophy. Many of the sciences were part of philosophy before they became separate disciplines. Philosophy is relevant to diverse fields of inquiry by studying their scope and concepts and providing an interdisciplinary perspective.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1814:

More than 1,200 people died in the most destructive recorded eruption of Mayon in the Philippines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayon

1979:

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile and soon led the Iranian Revolution to overthrow the U.S.-backed Pahlavi dynasty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhollah_Khomeini%27s_return_to_Iran

2009:

Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir became the first female prime minister of Iceland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B3hanna_Sigur%C3%B0ard%C3%B3ttir

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

scourge: 1. To strike (a person, an animal, etc.) with a scourge (noun sense 1) or whip; to flog, to whip. 2. To drive, or force (a person, an animal, etc.) to move, with or as if with a scourge or whip. 3. (figurative) 4. To punish (a person, an animal, etc.); to chastise. 5. To cause (someone or something) persistent (and often widespread) pain and suffering or trouble; to afflict, to torment. 6. (Scotland, agriculture) Of a crop or a farmer: to deplete the fertility of (land or soil). 7. (weaponry, chiefly historical) A whip, often made of leather and having multiple tails; a lash. 8. (figurative) 9. A person or thing regarded as an agent of divine punishment. 10. A source of persistent (and often widespread) pain and suffering or trouble, such as a cruel ruler, disease, pestilence, or war. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/scourge

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

We don't appreciate what we have until it's gone. Freedom is like that. It's like air. When you have it, you don't notice it.   --Boris Yeltsin https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Boris_Yeltsin