Jeri.. real, genuine Philosophy is an attempt to make sense of our senses... if that makes sense. Many philosophical 'systems' were rooted in pre-established ideas-- often from religion. Some admit that things like "the Meaning of Life" are not answerable endeavors, but that we need to look to the meaning(s) embedded in our language. The thing that interests me about philosophy is that the very process of asking simple questions about meaning & existence creates a framework... sometimes a VERY convoluted one... that leads to actual insights. Plato.. and especially Aristotle... really affected Western civilization, just as Buddha and Confucius in the East did.
   Some ideas require linguistic terms and carefully defined concepts that they don't expect the average person to untangle... just as theoretical physicists don't expect many to grasp String Theory or the implications of the possibility of multiverses. Even science-fiction authors often weave seemingly weird & complex concepts into stories that later inspire real discoveries.
   All these are just ways to approach 'being' in ways that may be useful..or just moving... like art. Klimpt and Rembrandt and Picasso.. and Corlew... don't do it the same way, thank goodness.
I know that Wittgenstein and Kant and Hegel.. and Whitehead.. made ME conscious of how many diverse ways there are to give meaning to a world where *simplicity* often leads to prejudice and careless judgment.
   I never became a professional philosopher, but being exposed to so many views has really showed me why choosing just one is dangerous. (which is one reason I love folk music... they sing about almost anything!)

gee... I stopped before I got into C.S. Peirce- be thankful.)