Full Idea
It seems to me that the most important and interesting thing which philosophers have tried to do ...is to give a general description of the whole of the Universe.
Gist of Idea
The main aim of philosophy is to describe the whole Universe.
Source
G.E. Moore (Some Main Problems of Philosophy [1911], Ch. 1)
Book Reference
Moore,G.E.: 'Some Main Problems of Philosophy' [George Allen and Unwin 1953], p.1
A Reaction
He adds that they aim to show what is in it, and what might be in it, and how the two relate. This sort of big view is the one I favour. I think the hallmark of philosophical thought is a high level of generality. He next proceeds to defend common sense.