Philosophers uncover basic assumptions. We often challenge those assumptions as well.

Philosophers look for a consistent view of the world. We try to find out what the world is
actually like.

Some philosophers see their job as “carving reality at the joints”, i.e., determining exactly
what most basic kinds of things there are in the world (this differs from physics because
philosophers will also ask whether the world includes minds, souls, propositions, God,
numbers, and other things that are not obviously either matter or energy).

Philosophers often investigate the conditions that make certain experiences possible.
What must the world be like, if we are actually to know things, as we think that we do?
What must it be like, in order for our experience of morality not to be an illusion? The
enlightenment philosopher Immanuel Kant devoted most of his philosophical intelligence
to this sort of investigation, and in the process transformed philosophy. In another way,
the philosopher Karl Marx (yes, he was a philosopher!) did the same thing, except that
where Kant looked at the nature of human reason and rational agency, Marx looked at the
social and economic conditions that govern our life and our thinking.

Philosophers analyze arguments to see what reasons are being given for drawing various
conclusions, and to see whether, if you accept the reasons, the conclusions actually
follow.

Philosophers analyze concepts. For example, we try to find out what knowledge is, and
whether anyone ever actually knows anything. We try to find out what goodness is, or
justice, and how anyone can tell (if we actually can) whether someone is good or just. We
try to find out what art is, or whether that question even makes sense.

Adult philosophers seriously ask the questions you asked when you were three and four,
and actually try to answer them.