Final answer:
Philosophers seek wisdom by using critical thinking to understand the fundamental nature of reality, truth, and values. This pursuit of wisdom goes beyond factual knowledge, encompassing a deep comprehension of how the world and its concepts interconnect, and how our understanding of ethical and abstract notions informs our lives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The wisdom that philosophers seek is not merely an accumulation of facts, but a deep understanding of the nature of reality, truth, certainty, and value. For ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, seeking wisdom meant using reason to find clear, precise, and criticism-resistant ideas. According to John Dewey, philosophers aim to use what is known to gain what is most valued, employing critical thinking to scrutinize claimed knowledge and values. The ancient Greeks, whom we consider the pioneers of philosophy, were aspiring for an understanding that encompassed everything, a desire echoed by Wilfrid Sellars who sought to grasp how things hang together in the world.
Plato's notion of accessing an immaterial realm of forms to understand virtues substantiates the philosophical pursuit of an abstract understanding beyond the material world, as seen in disciplines like math and ethics. Socrates also emphasized self-examination, concluding from the oracle's riddle that human wisdom is very limited, thus highlighting the importance of continual seeking and self-awareness in the pursuit of wisdom. While modern philosophers also appreciate the scientific advancements in understanding, they still value the interpretative and reflective nature of philosophical inquiry to make sense of our existence and inform our decisions.