I haven’t read much. But surely philosophy is its own utility. Just as no education is wasted. Anything that makes the world you live in a little bit bigger can only be worthwhile.
I think you answer your own question Ragged. They exist to do philosophy. If there weren’t philosophers, would those ideas exist? Maths might be pre existing of mathematicians (though that’s a great debate all on its own) but surely these ideas only exist because someone has thought them. And that’s what philosophers do. Maybe?
Sadly, I think this is the truth. I watched a movie called American Fiction the other day that's basically about this very topic. The books that are actually substantial and complex get tossed to the side because they are too X, Y, or Z, while the books that appeal to the lowest common denominator end up winning in the market and become best sellers. Kind of explains why self-help does so well. I actually really like self-help books myself, which I guess means I might be part of that problem. :'D
Indeed! My test for the uselessness (or otherwise) of things is: "post-apocalypse or.... shipwrecked on a desert island....what would you rather have?" Philosopher is pretty low down the list.
I think teachers could come in handy on a desert island. Woodworks teachers. Biology teachers. Maths teachers. I don't think it snubs teachers at all. Quite the contrary.
I dunno, Bettina. I think a philosopher on a desert island might come in handy! What if you needed to know whether happiness or virtue was the greatest good?
Does it matter? Are they happy? Are their families and friends happy? Are they living a fulfilling life? As other philosophers might ask :-D
Why single out philosophers? There are a lot of people who do things which seem pointless to me. :-)
Or lets look at scientists. They're useful right? But what about an entomologist who spends their whole life looking for a single insect and never finds it? Is that comparable to a philosopher who spends their whole life looking for a new idea?
But, yeah, I don't know what philosophers are for either!
I haven’t read much. But surely philosophy is its own utility. Just as no education is wasted. Anything that makes the world you live in a little bit bigger can only be worthwhile.
I want to make a distinction between philosophy and philosophers. Philosophy has great utility and teaches good habits of thinking. I am a fan.
Philosophers though? What are they for?
I think you answer your own question Ragged. They exist to do philosophy. If there weren’t philosophers, would those ideas exist? Maths might be pre existing of mathematicians (though that’s a great debate all on its own) but surely these ideas only exist because someone has thought them. And that’s what philosophers do. Maybe?
Sadly, I think this is the truth. I watched a movie called American Fiction the other day that's basically about this very topic. The books that are actually substantial and complex get tossed to the side because they are too X, Y, or Z, while the books that appeal to the lowest common denominator end up winning in the market and become best sellers. Kind of explains why self-help does so well. I actually really like self-help books myself, which I guess means I might be part of that problem. :'D
Aristotle and Marcus Aurelius wrote some good self-help books!
Good point! Haha
Indeed! My test for the uselessness (or otherwise) of things is: "post-apocalypse or.... shipwrecked on a desert island....what would you rather have?" Philosopher is pretty low down the list.
i feel like this test snubs some pretty valuable professions... teachers for example
I think teachers could come in handy on a desert island. Woodworks teachers. Biology teachers. Maths teachers. I don't think it snubs teachers at all. Quite the contrary.
I dunno, Bettina. I think a philosopher on a desert island might come in handy! What if you needed to know whether happiness or virtue was the greatest good?
If I were on a desert island, I'd already know the answer to that. Happiness, of course! (When I see the ship coming to rescue me).
Enjoyed this! (The Nominalism in Metaphysics entry was written by one of my professors!)
Professor Scarlet?
I have questions!
Does it matter? Are they happy? Are their families and friends happy? Are they living a fulfilling life? As other philosophers might ask :-D
Why single out philosophers? There are a lot of people who do things which seem pointless to me. :-)
Or lets look at scientists. They're useful right? But what about an entomologist who spends their whole life looking for a single insect and never finds it? Is that comparable to a philosopher who spends their whole life looking for a new idea?
But, yeah, I don't know what philosophers are for either!
Entomology is a fine hobby!
Please find an introduction to the only Philosopher who can potentially make a difference to anyone's life.
http://beezone.com/1main_shelf/death_message.html
http://deathanddyingwisdom.com/about
http://www.adidam.org/teaching/aletheon/truth-life
http://www.adidam.org/teaching/gnosticon/religion-scientism