Topics Philosophy

Question What are the three characteristics of a philosophical question?

Accepted:
September 1, 2011

Comments

Hmm, I don't know why you think there are exactly three characteristics, but since you asked it that way, I'll give it a go:

1. Philosophical questions tend to concern (to paraphrase Led Zeppelin) what is and what should be (and also how we can know what is and what should be)--that is, they tend to be about metaphysics (what exists and how it exists), ethics (what we ought to do and what a good life is), and epistemology (what can we know and how). They are the questions kids ask: "Why?" and "Why should I?" (and "How do you know?")

2. Philosophical questions typically look like they are (a) not objective (such that we know just what it would take to figure out the one right answer), (b) not subjective (such that the answer depends just on whatever someone thinks about it), and (c) difficult. As we discover agreed-upon methods for finding objective answers to questions, they tend to migrate into the sciences (and become "easy"--just kidding, scientists!). But philosophers do agree a lot about better and worse ways (methods) of answering philosophical questions and about better and worse answers and defenses of them. Some philosophers think that some questions (such as what is good or just) are relative or subjective, or that some questions are unanswerable or badly formed, but they agree that reaching such conclusions requires good arguments.

3. Philosophical questions tend to be important. They seek answers that are fundamental (hence underlying many of our, and our society's, other beliefs and our, and our society's, actions and policies) and comprehensive (aiming to unify our beliefs and actions into a coherent whole).

OK, I cheated and put in a lot more than just three characteristics. But what do you expect from a philosopher? (if I could add more, I'd say that philosophical questions are typically both frustrating and fun!)

Question What are the three characteristics of a philosophical question? Accepted:September 1, 2011

Question What are the three characteristics of a philosophical question?

Accepted:
September 1, 2011