Yeah, I know…another metaphilosophical post about, what else, philosophy.
Here goes…
Is there space for philosophy today? Was there ever space for philosophy?
Has the philosopher ever been relevant to anyone but the philosopher? And how relevant is philosophy for the philosopher? We’re all living relatively normal lives (we’re posting on an internet discussion board on a regular, at least repeat, basis…). We have families, jobs, obligations, etc. How is philosophy useful? Or is it just your amusing distraction?
Philosophy doesn’t deal in concrete goods or services. It’s not an “applied” discipline. Oh certainly, it’s applicable to many things; its breadth of subject matter and broad-mindedness are part of its utility. But there it is again – that ugly idea, “utility”. Use. What is it good for…? Nothing…specifically… Anything…potentially…
But goddammit it has intrinsic value! Who cares if it’s good for something or not – who wants to have lived life without contemplating their very being? Or whatever. Right?
Philosophy.
Does it make us better people? Is it personally beneficial in a way that exceeds or complements the benefits of applied disciplines? Is it just masturbatory?
I’m sure we’ll get some git psychoanalyzing my post telling me that it amounts to nothing more than projections of my own insecurities, doubts, inadequacy, and daftness. Well no shit.
Moving along.
I love philosophy. Like I love music. Epic music. Emotional music. Music that spreads out before me, wresting my soul from where it lay dormantly. Beautiful synchronicity. Harmony that’s not necessarily harmonious.
But the same tune, the same style, gets old after awhile. Thinking is a tired activity when you think about the same things all the time, over and over again. Especially for intelligent people who are used to invention and insight. I suppose a certain amount of monotony belongs to philosophy, like most things. Here, I mean specifically the monotony of thinking through the same thoughts or ideas over and over trying to get somewhere new…and failing. It’s part of the process. I can put up with it, but only some days and only for so long.
The amount of energy I spend on philosophy or the amount of energy I spend on music… how much of it contributes to (results in) me paying my bills, keeping my health, and nurturing my overall development and happiness* ?
I don’t know, but I daresay it has frequently cost me money, health, and therefore some amount of happiness. No, I’m not ready to give it up. Even though it has been ultimately sort of a detrimental relationship. There’s something in me that finds itself at home with philosophy…in doing real philosophy. Not textbook philosophy. See, textbook philosophy contains the rags of what-might-have-been real philosophy for someone, but what will only ever be textbook philosophy for many people. Anthologized, decontextualized, abridged, and impersonal. Stale. Without urgency or meaning. I’m not going to try to articulate what, on the other hand, real philosophy might be. I think you’ll know what I’m talking about if…well…you know. And I’m content to leave it at that.
The anxiety and preoccupation, the time lost, the big resultant tangible nothing gained from it… it adds up. Perhaps if I had the focus or the concentration to document my process and my insights, and to build upon them systematically…I should have published an academic masterpiece, a public bestseller, and started my own company by now. Then I could justify the utility of my pursuit. Useful, tangible results.
Would I want to live in a world without philosophy? The thought isn’t stirring. So how frustrated and invisible and abandoned must I feel now; for a world without philosophy is the world that most people live in. And among the small sideshow of philosophers there is too much pretension, dishonesty, and bravado to keep company.
Even now, I can hear your rejoinder ringing wretchedly in my head, choking on itself like a kid who opens his mouth too soon after swallowing: “fuse, retch you sentimental, passive idiot, retch the world doesn’t sit on someone’s fireplace mantel like a photograph or some framed portrait. It is in flux, receptive to change, and ready to be shaped at every moment. You talk as if the world doesn’t change. With your outlook, it’s not surprising that your world doesn’t change; however, there are stronger types who lay their hands on the world – without hesitation, without permission, without thought of approval – and fashion it by their own intuitive design. They don’t look for space for philosophy in their lives; they make it.”
*(The word ‘happiness’ here doesn’t get at what I really value which is not constant pleasure or contentment but a deep underlying satisfaction with myself and acceptance of the world.)