I was recently questioned if philosophy is even worth debating/thinking/questioning about. I mean, yeah there a bunch a negative things in this world… maybe it is better to stop analyzing everything and appreciate the place we live in. A place where we can excercise basic human rights, question authority, maybe this is what we chase in philosophy. It was emphasized that we as philosophers lose appreciation for what is around us.
Of course this isn’t my opinion, but I was stumped when I was debated about this… any thoughts?
Compare the relative values of considering how existence could be improved for all humans against NASCAR driving records, sports statistics, and how drunk someone got at the barbeque, at worst it’s a wash.
‘‘We as philosophers’’ is a non-homogenous pseudo clan, and the suggestion that a group of people ‘‘lose appreciation for what is around us’’ is a gross and inaccurate generalization.
Philosophy can be self-deconstruction, which can be a very good thing, but even if the most pessimistic among us occupy their time with railings on the evils of this and the injustice of that, their time is their own, and they take full advantage of the inherant freedom they deny having by wallowing joyously in their perceived misery.
Philosophy is like relationships. It can enhance your life or it can destroy it. If you court philosophy, remember to always be yourself throughout. Also good relationships flourish by not taking things to seriously.