Functions of Philosophy

Different researchers identify different functions of philosophy. There are a lot of them. The majority of opinions are recognized as the main functions of philosophy.

World outlook - is the ability of philosophical sciencedescribe the picture of the world and unite the knowledge of various sciences, practices and arts. It is characterized by an abstract theoretical approach to explaining the world. In this regard, the philosophical concepts themselves are characterized by a dual character, expressed in gravitation either to science or to pseudoscience.

Methodological - is to identify the most optimalways to achieve certain goals, for example, the construction of scientific knowledge, social practice or aesthetic creativity. Such methods and principles of action are implied, to which a fundamental, rather than a narrow meaning, is inherent. These methods include the historical method. The functions of philosophy are largely aimed at clarifying the content of the main principles of science and practice.

Philosophy is a common doctrine of methods, as well as a set of methods of knowledge that are common to the sciences involved in the cognition of the world.

Humanistic - is manifested rather brightly and is realized inextremely careful attitude to people. Philosophy is called to be attentive to people. Therefore, it does not limit itself to a strictly scientific approach, and ethical and aesthetic approaches are widely used.

Practical - is to care for the welfare of people, that is, in morality.

Prognostic - formulates hypotheses of general trends in the development of matter, the world, consciousness, man. The probability of a forecast increases with the degree to which philosophy relies on scientific knowledge.

Critical - applies to other disciplines, and to thephilosophy. Since antiquity, the actual principle of this science is the postulate of exposing everything to doubt. This is understood not as abstract nihilism, but constructive criticism based on dialectical negation.

Axiological - is associated with the evaluation of the object under study from the positions of different kinds of values: moral, social, ideological, aesthetic, etc.

Social functions of philosophy quite diverse in content and scopeaspects of society. Philosophy fulfills a twofold task - it explains social being and contributes to its spiritual and material improvement. In this regard, philosophy has taken the prerogative of developing common concepts for the consolidation and integration of society.

Its tasks are to help awareness andthe formulation of collective goals, as well as the direction of people's efforts to achieve them. The vitality of philosophical concepts is determined by the degree to which each individual is able to understand and accept it. Therefore, while philosophy is of a comprehensive nature, it must be addressed to every concrete person.

Functions of philosophy in culture manifest at all levels of functioningsociety and individual individuals. All the roles, features and characteristics inherent in philosophy in one way or another assume the involvement of this science in culture, their interaction.

As history shows, philosophy in culturetook a variety of forms. The philosophy of Plato is thoroughly permeated with myths. The Roman Stoics turned it into a sort of moral preaching. In the Middle Ages, philosophy became a servant of theology. In modern times the principle of scientificity has penetrated into it. Today, philosophy has become a coherent scientific theory.

All functions of philosophy are related to each otherdialectically. Each of them to a certain extent includes the rest. Many of them in general are inseparable, for example, philosophical and methodological, methodological and epistemological, social and humanitarian, etc. Only through the integrity and unity of functions is manifested the essence and specificity of philosophy as a science.