Final answer:
Philosophical discourse is primarily about the pursuit of wisdom, and it encompasses a broad range of fundamental questions about life and existence. It is difficult to define due to its broad and deep scope, as well as its openness to exploring all aspects of being without constraint. Philosophy is distinguished from science by its focus on normative questions of how to live, rather than mere analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Philosophical discourse certainly involves the pursuit of wisdom, as it seeks to answer general and fundamental questions regarding existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Various principles are involved in this endeavor, including the quest for knowledge, the idea of the 'good life', and the use of philosophical methods such as questioning, critical discussion, rational argument, and systematic presentation.
The reason defining philosophy proves challenging lies in the discipline's intrinsic open-mindedness, rejecting basic assumptions and considering a broad range of subjects that all aim to explore the deepest conceptions of the world as it exists, encompassing nature, consciousness, morality, beauty, and social organizations.
Regarding decision-making versus analysis as the role of science, philosophy differs in its approach by not merely describing the world, as science does, but by pondering on how one ought to live within it. This is exemplified by questions such as 'What is a good life?', 'Do humans have free will?', and 'Is it better to be just or unjust?'. The philosophical venture, much like what John Vervaeke refers to as an 'awakening from the meaning crises', aims to address the concern for wisdom and the principles that guide our lives, thereby giving them meaning and value.
Lastly, the difficulty in defining philosophy exemplifies the essential complexities of the subject itself, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and examination of profound human concerns.