Lifeisforareason,
it is important to differentiate between false impressions in life and trying to give people false impressions in life. False impressions are given by all of us unintentionally. Your statement appears to be saying that philosophy INTENTIONALLY give false impressions to others about life. This is not so. Furthermore, philosophers are, in my opinion, the most open minded individuals when it comes to be criticized or shown to be wrong. Don’t get me wrong, many philosophers are still your usual type of person who will argue for the sake of arguing, or only to save themselves from admitting wrong - but those who are open minded and don’t mind being shown to be wrong are still more than any other field I have ever encountered. Same goes for the fake images you mention. So what is it that philosophers do?
In my opinion, philosophers should listen to evidence and propose ideas they have. The key word is ‘propose’. Just as any serious ethical philosopher will tell you that no ethical philosopher has the right to tell you how to live, they can merely suggest ideas and options.
Philosophy seems to talk about what is meaningless, for the reason that (in my opinion) people are too busy to ask or talk about those questions. Someone working 9-5 five days a week with a husband, kids, friends, and possibly some kind of hobby (other than philosophy) really doesn’t have the time or energy to delve into the inner workings of everyday life.
I think philosophy is important on many different levels. I don’t agree with de’trop that philosophy ONLY has retrospective importance. Many philosophies that I have read or thought of myself have helped me to see things clearer in the future, helped me to make choices that I would not have made if without knowing philosophy. Moreover, as de’trop said, philosophy contains the foundational principles of all topics. It is in a sense the mother of all knowledge. Though, as kids over step their parents in knowledge and ability, philosophy’s offspring have gone above and beyond philosophy in many areas. Nevertheless, there is wisdom in mothers that is always depended upon and sought in times of great questioning or crisis, just as all forms of knowledge depend on philosophy for their grandest implications and questions.
I don’t agree with Nientilin, that someone who thinks philosophy doesn’t have a purpose is living for their own selfish purposes. I’m actually confused how that follows, logically that is. I may think that philosophy doesn’t have a purpose (although I do think it does) and still live my life for very altruistic reasons and ends. Lastly, I don’t agree that ignorance is bliss - I won’t get into this because I already have in numerous posts and at great lengths.
De’trop stated:
Although I agree, people nevertheless do hold us responsible for the consequences of our pursuits of truth. I hear it all the time in university, in fact I have said it myself. Which is why, if I ever write a book on philosophy I will start the introduction with “this book is never to become mandatory reading anywhere or for any purpose. The only way this book should ever be opened is because someone chose to without any outside coercion” or something to that effect. On the same note, Plato says that we can’t get mad at someone for telling the truth. I couldn’t agree more, but again, we do it all the time. In fact, I think people are more forgiving of lies than they are of hearing horrible truths. As De’trop stated, philosophy is not rated PG.
good post bluqueen
Trix,
lol. I love this girl’s sense of humour. Trix stated:
So trix, let me get this straight. bluqueen is being rather simple by categorizing the population of the world into two, so you you solve the problem by categorize the population of the world into one?
Undisclosed,
I think you bring up an important issue. I find that many people are studying something as a means to another end. For example, many study business not because business excites them, but because they are excited by money which they have linked with business. Which causes them to think that if they want money, they HAVE to learn business. Most philosophy students, however, study philosophy because they want to. Philosophy is an end in itself. Money, work, or anything else that comes from it is a by-product.
Epictete,
I agree with you that many ethical or moral notions are worthless, but I don’t agree that ethics or morality is the only branch of philosophy with any practical use. Without wanting to get too deep into the topic, I will mention the first (off the top of my head) answer of LOGIC. In fact, logic, in my opinion is much more practical then ethics. And it’s much less changed and scrutinized. Moreover, I would include ALL aspects of philosophy as practical, it all depends on how you understand, interpret, and APPLY the knowledge you gain. For example, many people I know never talk about their major outside of school. Some of these people are studying to be doctors, lawyers, business man, engineers, architects - and yet when it comes to anything but school the topic never arises. In my opinion, that topic is not very practical for their own life. The only pragmatic side to it is that it will bring them money one day. Philosophy however, in my experience, is carried along everywhere one goes. I apply my philosophy to my life as often as I can, in fact my philosophy always arises out of practical situations which I delve deeper into, find a philosophy, and the next time I am in the situation I do what my philosophy has taught me.
What’s your take?
its like I’ve been in a coma all my life and just snapped out of it ! only to find that I missed out on so much…