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RE: what's the point of philosophy
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Philosophy has considerable, but unrealised potential. I think this is
because philosophers tend to spend too much time debating with each other
and not enough time debating with the outside world. There are very few
philosophers who at the present time are working in the public domain to
change out of date attitudes and counter illogical or selfish actions by
politicians. The two I can think of are Singer (one could say his chickens
are coming home to roost!) and Chomsky, who has been a wonderful thorn in
the side of the US political establishment. Perhaps others can highlight
philosophers who are "making a difference" - maybe we need an annual award
for the philosopher who makes the most difference in the world.
I can understand why this is the case. Arguing with people about the rights
and wrongs of euthanasia, stem cell research, genetic modification,
terrorism and all of those practical examples of philosophy in action will
only lose friends. An outspoken philosopher can be a lonely person. The
problem is that by studying and examining the issues with cold precision we
put those we are having a dialogue with in an embarrassing position - their
opinions, we can show, have wobbly foundations or lead to unacceptable
consequences. By confining our debate to other philosophers we can hone our
arguments in a risk free environment, and as you say we enjoy the process
too!
If you want philosophy to make a difference, then get debating with
non-philosophers - write to newspapers, call phone-in programs, contribute
your arguments to internet websites - I occasionally lob messages into right
wing US religious web forums reminding them of the problem of evil .....
I would say the largest contribution philosophers could make to the world
today is to raise the level of debate in the US on Iraq, the Middle East,
terrorism and global warming. The US government has effectively been
hijacked by big business and is doing a wonderful PR job convincing voters
that it is doing the right thing for them. The US media has been brought to
heel and is ineffective, and the Democrats don't seem to be able to get
their act together. I used to think that people who talked like that were
cranks until a philosophical education helped me to interpret the world more
objectively and thoughtfully.
Bernie Doeser
Sandiway, Cheshire, UK.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-bups-dis@purplepancake.com
[mailto:owner-bups-dis@purplepancake.com]On Behalf Of Alice Evans
Sent: 26 August 2005 13:10
To: BUPS-DIS@bups.org
Subject: what's the point of philosophy
To reply to this message or start a new topic please email:
BUPS-DIS@bups.org
** 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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