What the hell is philosophy?

I’m getting a little frustrated. Philosophy is almost impossible to talk about, the moment you mention the subject of philosophy it seems to everyone that the conversation is just about playing word games and trying to show their mental gymnastics education. <br><br>If you ever try to have a discussion with like minded people, people always assume you are trying to play some sort of game. Ask a question and the first thing that happens is people start to look around the room like in a movies where the nazi’s walk in to look for the bad guy. I’ve been down voted on other threads for mentioning philosophy. It seems to be a bad word in intellectual circles. <br><br>People seem to think philosophy is about playing with words. It’s not. But people seem to think it is, and they run into the trenches of dictionary definitions and acts as if this is what philosophy is about. <br><br>Philosophy is about asking questions. From dictionary.com, “Philosophy: the rational investigation of the truths and principles of existence and knowledge” Rational investigation of existence? Of knowledge? That’s it. That’s philosophy. Not playing word games or trying to use mental gymnastics to win a game. <br><br>But it seems no one has any idea what philosophy seems to be. You can’t possibly have a conversation about philosophy anymore. It’s like the word sucks the blood out of your conversation and turns it into a big joke. I’ve been yelled at and mocked for trying to have a conversation about philosophy. People will say you are being too “philosophical” and treat you like a clan member. <br><br>I want to talk about philosophy. I want to talk to people who want to think and like to ask questions. I don’t want to play word games. I don’t want to focus on sematics. I don’t want to have a conversation where people try to “win” and brag when they crush you with a sentence. <br><br>How the hell do people have a conversation about philosophy without making it seem like a circus? How the hell do you ask questions and not get looked at like a complete loser? How can you have a conversation and have people look at you like you’re trying to play a game? <br><br>What the hell is philosophy?