Final answer:
Synthesis, as described by Robert Solomon, involves a deep integration of diverse ideas to form new meanings within the field of philosophy, emphasizing complex reading and thinking skills, and aiming to develop coherent and informed perspectives on universal concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aspects of 'Doing Philosophy' According to Robert Solomon: Synthesis
According to Robert Solomon, synthesis is a crucial aspect of 'doing philosophy'. Synthesis in philosophical inquiry involves the integration of various ideas and perspectives to create new meanings or understandings. Solomon emphasizes that philosophy is not just a compilation of facts and figures. Instead, it's about discerning relationships and constructing a broader understanding from different texts and concepts. This requires a high level of reading and thinking skills, where a philosopher interprets key points to make new meaning, combines bits and pieces of sources for a specific purpose, and interprets content within a larger context.
As a discipline, philosophy seeks to make coherent sense of a whole, drawing from its broad and diverse origins to formulate thoughts on universal human concerns. The process is reflected in the way a philosopher thinks, analyzes, and arrives at a coherent narrative that not only addresses the specifics but also fits within the grander scheme of understanding the world and our place in it. An introductory philosophy student is encouraged to engage with these practices to become proficient in philosophical thought and argumentation.