Philosophy is the study of problems concerning matters as fundamental as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Pythagoras (c. 570–495 BC) is said to have coined the term. Philosophical methods were applied through questioning, critical discussion, rational arguments, and systematic presentations on questions like "Is it possible to know anything and to prove it?" Major areas in academic philosophy include metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, political philosophy, logic, philosophy of science, and the history of Western philosophy.