Page 191 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Philosophy SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Ancient China
p.16

Philosophy is a way of trying to understand things by ▸ ▸ Ancient Greece
asking questions and thinking of answers. It was first p.18
studied thousands of years ago, when people wanted to ▸ ▸ Governments
p.123
find out about the world and their own lives. People who ▸ ▸ Religion p.208
try to find answers to these questions are known ▸ ▸ Science p.217
as philosophers.

Asking questions Thinking of answers
To find out about the world, Philosophers try to come
philosophers ask all sorts of up with answers to these
questions. They ask about things questions. By thinking hard
such as what is real around us, and about their answers, they can
what is the best way to live decide whether they are
our lives. true or false.

What makes
me who
I am?
How do I
know what

Why do is true?
things exist?

Right and wrong Equality
An important part of philosophy is Men and women are often treated First
deciding what makes something right differently. For example, men are generally philosophers
or wrong. For example, we all know paid more. Philosophers try to explain how Western philosophy began
that stealing is bad. Philosophers ask everybody should be treated equally in ancient Greece. The
why it is bad. (the same). Greek city of Athens
was home to many of
the most important
early philosophers,
such as Socrates,
Plato, and Aristotle.

Statue of
Plato

189

US_189_Philosophy.indd 189 16/05/2017 09:50