Topics Philosophy

Question Socrates mentioned that some "philosophers" gave the subject of philosophy a bad name by not being "true philosophers" (who reach for all the wisdom). Today most people seem to regard philosophy as an esoteric or complicated subject and thus refrain from involving themselves with philosophy. What does AskPhilosophers have to say about this? Todd, Sweden

Accepted:
December 25, 2008

Comments

Todd, I'm not quite sure I see the relation that you intend between your first and second sentence. If you are arguing that there are lots of people around who call themselves 'philosophers' but who are not 'true philosophers' in Socrates sense, and this has led to the situation in which philosophy is esoteric or complicated, then I quite disagree. My observation is that the use of the terms philosophy or philosopher in everyday circumstances is such as to make the subject appear really simple or trivial. So, my local pet shop has a sign that says 'Our philosophy is...'. What they mean is 'We consider it good practice to...'. Likewise, there is a range of toiletries called 'Philosophy', and I recently bought a bottle of wine that had printed on the label 'philosophie par le fruit' (which I think is really endearing, but it ain't Kant). Everyone is encouraged to have their 'personal philosophy', this makes it seem like philosophy is easy, what's all the fuss about. Moreover, it makes it seem trivial and therefore not worth concerning oneself with, except for one's own purposes.

If, in Sweden, the public perception of philosophy is that it is esoteric and complicated, then rejoice!

The way of correcting the perception of philosophy is through sites like this one. Here, ordinary conundrums are meditated upon in a way that is (hopefully) both unfamiliar or disconcerting, though clear, but also fascinating and inviting.