what's the point of philosophy

["Alice Evans" <apyyae@nottingham.ac.uk>]

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** For Your Eyes Only **

ok, here's a question:

"is philosophy anymore than inquiry for inquiry's sake?"

dont get me wrong, im crazy about it, really enjoyable but can any philosophical debate serve any direct practical purpose?

yes, i grant that the skills used in philosophy (grasping concepts, analysing contrasting propositions, making judgement) are of indirect value in that they can be applied by the individual to matters in 'the real world' but does it, can it serve a direct purpose? (other than enjoyment of discussion)

i mean, dont get me wrong, im mad keen about philosophy, but is it anymore than waffle? 

ok, political philosophy is used as rhetoric to define government policy, well at least it's supposed to, it rarely does in fact, did anyone hear blair mention "why the gap matters", "why relative poverty is more important than absolute poverty" or attempt to define social justice? no, problem because he patronisingly thought the proleteriat wouldn't understand.. (sorry i digress)

but yeh, intellectual banter or the cornerstone of civilisation?


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