Philosophical Thinking It is important to note that philosophy is a discipline that systematically applies reason to deepen the overall understanding of existence, reality, and the nature of knowledge as well as wisdom through a thorough examination. The question about knowledge is strongly associated with a branch of philosophy called epistemology. The latter focuses on defending and analyzing the key concepts of knowledge, including the core methodological frameworks utilized to attain it. When it comes to understanding reality itself, the most relevant branch of philosophy is metaphysics. It seeks to describe the nature of reality by addressing the underlying matters beyond science’s capabilities, but the principles are grounded in reason and logic. Lastly, the ideas about the good life and proper way of living stem from the branch of philosophy called ethics. It assesses and thoroughly defends the critical concepts of value by determining what is wrong and right. In the case of the question of knowledge, Socrates offered solid methodologies to uncover what is true. It should be noted that dialectic was a cornerstone of the pursuit of knowledge through wisdom, which is focused on a mutually respectful discourse between several people of opposing views to attain the truth (The Socratic Approach, n.d.). However, when it comes to delivering the known truth to people, who do not know, such as students, Socrates used the Socratic Method. The latter focused on asking questions about known matters and pushing the boundaries of knowledge to attain new ones (The Socratic Approach, n.d.). Arguments played a central role in the process of structuring and obtaining the truth since they were vigorously evaluated and assessed in regard to their validity. Even during his last trial and sentencing to death, Socrates adhered to his reasoning by proving why death should not be feared. He claimed that death is either something or nothing; in the former case, one can communicate with the dead, and in the latter case, it is dreamless sleep. Therefore, both cases present no valid reason to fear death, which makes it irrational for him to be fearful of his sentencing (The Apology: A Defense of Philosophy, n.d.). In the case of the question about reality, Plato offered insightful knowledge and a framework to understand the nature of reality. The philosopher’s core claim about metaphysics is rooted in the concept of flux or change. His argument is that the world is constantly changing, which makes knowledge impossible, but since knowledge is possible, then there are some essences outside the world in the metaphysical one (Plato Forms: The Foundations of Being, n.d.). Reality is grounded on forms, which are entities such as paradigms and ideals (Plato Forms: The Foundations of Being, n.d.). In the case of the question of epistemology, Aristotle offered virtue ethics to distinguish what is wrong from what is right. It is important to note that virtue ethics focuses on character or actor rather than the action itself. He claimed that when a person needs to act, he or she will act in accordance with his or her character (Aristotle’s Highest Good, n.d.). Virtue is located between two extremes, and vice is either deficiency or excess. Reflection on Virtue Ethics Thinking philosophically me