Philosophy, in its broadest sense, can be defined as the discipline that
transforms humanity’s effort to understand itself, the world, and existence
into a systematic, critical, and conceptual thinking activity. Unlike
other types of knowledge, philosophy does not merely explain specific
phenomena. It also questions the meaning of our knowledge, beliefs,
values, concepts, and methods, the assumptions they are based on,
and the limits within which they are valid. In this respect, philosophy
both analyzes the conceptual and methodological foundations behind
knowledge-producing disciplines and attempts to develop a theoretical
framework on the meaning, purpose, value, and “criteria for a good life”
of human existence.