This document discusses the definition and nature of philosophy. Philosophy is defined as the love of wisdom and the analysis of concepts through reasoning. It originated from the Greek words for love and wisdom. The main branches of philosophy are logic, metaphysics, epistemology, and value theory. These deal with reasoning, abstract concepts, the nature and validity of knowledge, and values. The document also discusses the relationship between library science and philosophy, noting they are closely linked through exploring theories behind librarianship.

2. What is Philosophy?
Presented by
Abid Hussain
M. Phil Scholar (LIS)
University of Peshawar

3. Contents
 What is Philosophy
 Origin of the word Philosophy
 Nature and Functions of Philosophy
 Traditional Branches of Philosophy
 Library science and Philosphy
 Question & Answer

4. What is Philosophy
According to Cambridge Dictionary, “The
Philosophy is a group of theories and ideas
related to the understanding of a particular
subject like the philosophy of
education/religion/science.
The Collins Dictionary Defines that “A
philosophy is a particular set of ideas that a
philosopher has”. like Socrates, Plato and
Aristotle.

5. Origin of The Word Philosphy
The word philosophy is derived from the two
Greek words philia (love) and sophia (wisdom)
and means “the love of wisdom.”

6. Traditional Branches of Philosophy
 Historically, philosophical concerns have been treated
under these broad categories: Logic, Metaphysics,
Epistemology and value theory
 Logic: Philosophy endeavours to understand the nature
of correct thinking and to discover what is valid
Reasoning, in library scenario Boolean logic for advance
searching is good example
 Metaphysics: The branch of philosophy that deals with
the first principles of things, including abstract concepts
such as being, knowing, identity, time, and space. In
Library scenario, metaphysics is What is there and What
is it like?.

7. Traditional Branches of Philosophy
 Epistemology: epistemology is the branch of
philosophy that studies the sources, nature, and
validity of knowledge. What is the human mind capable
of knowing? From what sources do we gain our
knowledge? Do we have any genuine knowledge on
which we can depend, or must we be satisfied with
opinions and guesses?
 Value Theory: Value theory is the branch of
philosophy that studies values. It can be subdivided
into ethics, aesthetics, and social and political
philosophy. In Library Scenario, Values are education,
lifelong learning, intellectual freedom etc.

8. Nature and Functions of Philosophy
 Philosophy is a set of views or beliefs about life and the
Universe, which are often held uncritically.
 Philosophy is a process of reflecting on and criticizing our
most deeply held conceptions and beliefs.
 Philosophy is a rational attempt to look at the world as a whole.
 Philosophy is the logical analysis of language and the
clarification of the meaning of words and concepts.
 Philosophy is a group of perennial problems that interest people
and for which philosophers always have sought answers.

9. Library science and Philosphy
 There is close nexus between library science and
philosophy and this relationship is based on
theories behind it. Philosophy in library science is
the explorations of current, past, and emerging
theories. Our history with the idea of a philosophy
of librarianship is long, yet the library community
hasn’t resolved the problem of what that
philosophy (or philosophies) should be.
Continue……

10. Library science and Philosphy
Engaging in a reflective and philosophically-based
practice of librarianship (a praxis (tradition) of
librarianship), one that frames decision-making and
library work with the question:
What we do and why we do it?
 Rich Gause's Philosophy of Librarianship
 Know Your Collection
 Know Your Colleagues
 Know Your Profession
 Share Your Knowledge
