- Dec 20, 2003
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I have been really distressed recently by the apparent irrelevance of much philosophical chatter. Whether with word games, nihilistic non questions, smart alec jargonisation, posturing and abstraction, or logical nonsences the conversations seem to have deteriorated and lost sight of the real purpose of philosophy.
Philosophy should be about the meaning of life. It is for life and about life. It is the pursuit of the kind of wisdom that changes cultures and provides the seminal thinking that defines the next generation.
The methodologies of philosophers- logical argumentation from clearly defined premises, the ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of various positions, the ability to see a system as a whole and explore and improve its systematic consistency should be subordinate to this task. Philosophy in a sense is the belief that a mans mind has enough light in it to be able to reason its way to meanings and by exploring them to deepen ones awareness of them. It has the humility to recognise its limits and by its arguments demonstrates the limits of reasons and is more connected to the real issues of its culture and time than much of the relativistic and jargonised nihilistic rantings that passes for philosophy these days.
Has philosophy lost its way? Has it become the minority pasttime of jargonised professionals and lost the common touch that once allowed to define eras and lay the foundations for future actions for better or for worse?
Philosophy should be about the meaning of life. It is for life and about life. It is the pursuit of the kind of wisdom that changes cultures and provides the seminal thinking that defines the next generation.
The methodologies of philosophers- logical argumentation from clearly defined premises, the ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of various positions, the ability to see a system as a whole and explore and improve its systematic consistency should be subordinate to this task. Philosophy in a sense is the belief that a mans mind has enough light in it to be able to reason its way to meanings and by exploring them to deepen ones awareness of them. It has the humility to recognise its limits and by its arguments demonstrates the limits of reasons and is more connected to the real issues of its culture and time than much of the relativistic and jargonised nihilistic rantings that passes for philosophy these days.
Has philosophy lost its way? Has it become the minority pasttime of jargonised professionals and lost the common touch that once allowed to define eras and lay the foundations for future actions for better or for worse?