Claim: Socrates was a classical Athenian philosopher.

Philosophy -LRB- from Greek φιλοσοφία , philosophia , literally `` love of wisdom '' -RRB- is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence , knowledge , values , reason , mind , and language . The term was probably coined by Pythagoras -LRB- c. 570 -- c. 495 BC -RRB- . Philosophical methods include questioning , critical discussion , rational argument and systematic presentation . Classic philosophical questions include : Is it possible to know anything and to prove it ? What is most real ? However , philosophers might also pose more practical and concrete questions such as : Is there a best way to live ? Is it better to be just or unjust -LRB- if one can get away with it -RRB- ? Do humans have free will ?   Historically , `` philosophy '' encompassed any body of knowledge . From the time of Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle to the 19th century , `` natural philosophy '' encompassed astronomy , medicine and physics . For example , Newton 's 1687 Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy later became classified as a book of physics . In the 19th century , the growth of modern research universities led academic philosophy and other disciplines to professionalize and specialize . In the modern era , some investigations that were traditionally part of philosophy became separate academic disciplines , including psychology , sociology , linguistics and economics .   Other investigations closely related to art , science , politics , or other pursuits remained part of philosophy . For example , is beauty objective or subjective ? Are there many scientific methods or just one ? Is political utopia a hopeful dream or hopeless fantasy ? Major sub-fields of academic philosophy include metaphysics -LRB- `` concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and being '' -RRB- , epistemology -LRB- about the `` nature and grounds of knowledge -LSB- and -RSB- ... its limits and validity '' -RRB- , ethics , aesthetics , political philosophy , logic , philosophy of science and the history of Western philosophy .   Since the 20th century , professional philosophers contribute to society primarily as professors , researchers and writers . However , many of those who study philosophy in undergraduate or graduate programs contribute in the fields of law , journalism , politics , religion , science , business and various art and entertainment activities .