The study of understanding - a definition of Philosophy

The Study Of Understanding
A Definition Of Philosophy by Philip Atkinson (May, 2004 )

In the year 2004 it is difficult to discover an achievement of philosophy other than it is popularly viewed as a subject that confuses and dissembles truth; confirmation that without a clear definition, philosophy must remain an unhelpful discipline.

To allow philosophy to become a useful science I suggest the following self-evident truths be adopted:

1. Philosophy is the study of understanding.

2. Understanding is the bestowing of meaning upon observations.

3. Meaning is obtained by applying a set of axioms to the observations of an understanding.

4. These Axioms are:
i.—those that nature has bestowed in the creation of an understanding —a creature. That is, the instincts that dictate what the creature should, or should not, do — survive, eat, sleep, multiply, etc., which allow the recognition of right from wrong, and form the morality of the understanding.
ii.—those revealed by the understanding's experience of cause and effect. That is, if you step off a cliff you fall, and these axioms allow the recognition of true or false and form the knowledge of the understanding.

5. Reason is the process of applying axioms.

6. Reality is the meaningful view of the world constructed by an understanding's morality and knowledge.

7. Wisdom is the habits adopted by an understanding dictated by its morality and knowledge.

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1.	Philosophy is the study of understanding.
2.	Understanding is the bestowing of meaning upon observations.
3.	Meaning is obtained by applying a set of axioms to the observations of an understanding.
4.	These Axioms are: i.—those that nature has bestowed in the creation of an understanding —a creature. That is, the instincts that dictate what the creature should, or should not, do — survive, eat, sleep, multiply, etc., which allow the recognition of right from wrong, and form the morality of the understanding. ii.—those revealed by the understanding's experience of cause and effect. That is, if you step off a cliff you fall, and these axioms allow the recognition of true or false and form the knowledge of the understanding.
5.	Reason is the process of applying axioms.
6.	Reality is the meaningful view of the world constructed by an understanding's morality and knowledge.
7.	Wisdom is the habits adopted by an understanding dictated by its morality and knowledge.