Topics Philosophy

Question Why do philosophers become Philosophers, is it purely intellectual or is it because all they are good at is thinking, and why for that matter aren't they out, thinking up the answers to the world's problems?

Accepted:
December 12, 2005

Comments

I'm not sure why you think there's a general answer to your question any more than there is to the question of why people become doctors, or gardeners, or urban planners. Some people go into philosophy because they love reading and writing philosophy, some because they love to teach it, some because it's just the thing they've been doing since they were 17, some have no idea why they're doing it.

And why aren't philosophers "thinking up the answers to the world's problems"? Well, one response is: they are. The problems of philosophy are as much a part of the world as any other. In fact, they've been part of the world for far longer than most problems.

Perhaps by "world's problems" you mean something like "practical, pressing problems involving human suffering" -- that's often what people have in mind when they use expressions like "real" problems, or problems "out in the world". Again, I don't know why you expect a general answer to that question any more than there is one to the question of why architects or firemen aren't solving "the world's problems". Some philosophers have no interest in those problems, some have no aptitude to solve them, some lack the requisite knowledge to tackle them, some are trying to solve them, etc., etc.

Although I agree with Alex about there being no general answers to your questions, I want to emphasize one point. Many people think that philosophical problems have no practical import or that it simply doesn't matter whether there are philosophers or not. Now it does seem that a society has to have reached a level of well-being in order for philosophy to flourish: if most people are starving or are living in fear of physical danger, they are not likely to produce people consumed by philosophical worries. However, it doesn't follow that philosophy is just another luxury to be regarded as dispensable. I honestly believe that philosophy is a major contributor to the value of a society. Think of Sparta and Athens. Sparta defeated Athens, but which society was more valuable? In my opinion, Athens (with its philosophy, sculpture, tragedies and so on) contributed more to civilization than Sparta (with all its military might). Solving "the world's problems" is not the only way to make a contribution.

Question Why do philosophers become Philosophers, is it purely intellectual or is it because all they are good at is thinking, and why for that matter aren't they out, thinking up the answers to the world's problems? Accepted:December 12, 2005

Question Why do philosophers become Philosophers, is it purely intellectual or is it because all they are good at is thinking, and why for that matter aren't they out, thinking up the answers to the world's problems?

Accepted:
December 12, 2005