The Value of Philosophy
9:30 T/Thu Philosophy
In Russell’s discussion “The Value of Philosophy,” he asserted that the true goal of Philosophy wasn’t a tangible, or even reachable, goal. He says that Philosophy won’t lead us to any definite answers, because once you acquire solid knowledge of a subject, it instantly becomes another science. Instead that the greatest value of this study comes from the mental freedom you get when you begin to question the status quo and not just accepting things as they are. He also says that questioning these everyday issues will not lead to a solid answer through the use of Philosophy. But those doubts will inevitably open you up to the infinite possibilities that are available in the world that neither you, nor myself would have been exposed too if the study of Philosophy hadn’t taught us to take a few steps back and examine things for what they really are, or in some cases, aren’t. You see, Russell referenced a “practical man.” According to him the practical man is one who “recognizes only material needs, who realize that men must have food for the body, but is oblivious of the necessity of providing food for the mind.” The practical man is content with what’s in front of him. The practical man is complacent with his place in the world, and in reality, isn’t even aware of the things beyond his hands and eyes. In a manner of speaking, he described nothing more than a man in Plato’s Cave. In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, he illustrated a picture for us. That most people are merely prisoners in a cave, staring at shadows on a wall. In the same way that in society, the majority of people spend their lives believing whatever they’re told with no intentions to question ANYTHING about the life they lead. But in the Allegory of the Cave, Plato stated that there’s a select few of us who find our way out of the cave and see what life TRULY has to offer. That mental and physical freedom is truly an excellent experience to have after spending our whole life
In Russell’s discussion “The Value of Philosophy,” he asserted that the true goal of Philosophy wasn’t a tangible, or even reachable, goal. He says that Philosophy won’t lead us to any definite answers, because once you acquire solid knowledge of a subject, it instantly becomes another science. Instead that the greatest value of this study comes from the mental freedom you get when you begin to question the status quo and not just accepting things as they are. He also says that questioning these everyday issues will not lead to a solid answer through the use of Philosophy. But those doubts will inevitably open you up to the infinite possibilities that are available in the world that neither you, nor myself would have been exposed too if the study of Philosophy hadn’t taught us to take a few steps back and examine things for what they really are, or in some cases, aren’t. You see, Russell referenced a “practical man.” According to him the practical man is one who “recognizes only material needs, who realize that men must have food for the body, but is oblivious of the necessity of providing food for the mind.” The practical man is content with what’s in front of him. The practical man is complacent with his place in the world, and in reality, isn’t even aware of the things beyond his hands and eyes. In a manner of speaking, he described nothing more than a man in Plato’s Cave. In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, he illustrated a picture for us. That most people are merely prisoners in a cave, staring at shadows on a wall. In the same way that in society, the majority of people spend their lives believing whatever they’re told with no intentions to question ANYTHING about the life they lead. But in the Allegory of the Cave, Plato stated that there’s a select few of us who find our way out of the cave and see what life TRULY has to offer. That mental and physical freedom is truly an excellent experience to have after spending our whole life