It is pretty ironic. As I was about to say, what makes philosophy more pointless than anything else? Isn't everything else pointless? Isn't life pointless?Crabid said:
See, it's ironic because he was asking a philosophical question.
I am not bashing Philosophy.
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See, it's ironic because he was asking a philosophical question.
Just because we quote others words doesn't mean we don't have our own thoughts, we simply hear the quote and think 'Wow, they think the same way I do' Or 'They've emobodied some of my thoughts in a short phrase' I wouldn't quote something unless I believed it and understood it, and could back it up with my own thoughts. Though the people that just use the quotes and think that's all there is to proving their point are annoying.lazypenguin said:
Philosophy is important to science and life as we know it. If we didn't care where we came from, would there have been people who spent their lives discovering our past? Would we have bothered going into space if we had no wonders about what was out there? If we didn't think about what could make life better, would anyone bother to invent objects or new methods of doing things? Philosophy causes us to question, our wanting of answers to our questions drives us to search for them, and our search leads to answers which revolutionize the way we think and act. For without philosophy where would humans be technologically, politically, or socially?
Philosophy motivates most if not all great thinkers of humanity. Martin Luther thought about catholic doctrine of his day, disagreed with it, and changed the world (unintentionally) as we know it. Socrates wanted people to ask questions of those around them, which in a day where everything was "by the gods will" was truly revolutionary. Democracy and Monarchy are basically philosophies on how we determine who is in control. Even economics could be considered philosophies in their own right because they are people asking about and searching for new ways to make money (mercantilism v free market as an example). Philosophy is not only not pointless but necessary for human achievement and advancement.
Philosophy motivates most if not all great thinkers of humanity. Martin Luther thought about catholic doctrine of his day, disagreed with it, and changed the world (unintentionally) as we know it. Socrates wanted people to ask questions of those around them, which in a day where everything was "by the gods will" was truly revolutionary. Democracy and Monarchy are basically philosophies on how we determine who is in control. Even economics could be considered philosophies in their own right because they are people asking about and searching for new ways to make money (mercantilism v free market as an example). Philosophy is not only not pointless but necessary for human achievement and advancement.
The point of using quotes from famous literature is not to sit there at feel smug (though it is often a side effect). It doesn't signify that one is incapable of forming original, coherent thought, but instead that one can find a credible, respected source from history and use their words to prove your point. Knowing the correct context in which to use a quote - like the mistaken use of 'I think, therefore I am.' - is what demonstrates original thought, because if I were to simply spout Shakespeare at every possible opportunity, I would not only run out of things to say very fast, I would sound like I'd just stepped out of the TARDIS from Elizabethan England.lazypenguin said:
On a side note, First Ever Post on the Escapist. Yay me.
Hi its me the instigator, I just want to say I have enjoyed this disscussion. I mean really this all proves my point. While you rant on this issue and call me a fool, what are you getting done? Making me feel bad about my ideas. My entire argument was Philosophy is pointless NOT BAD I think it is fun ranting about how I see the world around me and getting feedback I just feel loved you know. What have we done other then being idiots including myself yelling back and fourth seeing who is the loudest of the bunch.
Plus for everyone who says Philosophy is thinking so is everything that requires our focus. If you say everything is pointless is wrong then you must also say That everything has a point is true. So murder has a point, love has a point, we all are special. Then again in 2 million years no-one will remember this discussion and it is likely to be repeated am sure I am not the first. I admit I am stupid but so is everyone else and thats not bad it gives us drive to be smart but we never know what smart is. We can only further our existnce and hope we are all here tommorow. Philosopohy is just fine. I thank you all for your comments and would love hearing more.
Plus for everyone who says Philosophy is thinking so is everything that requires our focus. If you say everything is pointless is wrong then you must also say That everything has a point is true. So murder has a point, love has a point, we all are special. Then again in 2 million years no-one will remember this discussion and it is likely to be repeated am sure I am not the first. I admit I am stupid but so is everyone else and thats not bad it gives us drive to be smart but we never know what smart is. We can only further our existnce and hope we are all here tommorow. Philosopohy is just fine. I thank you all for your comments and would love hearing more.
tbf there is no other way to bash philosophy without just shouting abuse...damn...I've just realised when you asked that question you were philosophying and when I replied I was doing the same...in fact it seem if you use your brain even slightly you fall into the trap on this subject...Guitarmasterx7 said:
Q.How many philosophers does it take to change a lightbulb?
Well, first of all, Philosophy is the discipline that invented the sciences. Early scientists were called naturalistic philosophers, and developed empirical means to answer the questions posed by philosophers. The sciences developed as a method of answering questions that wouldnt have been asked without philosophy.
Second, there are branches of philosophy which are trivial, such as epistimology, and metaphysics, which you can certainly argue to be useless, or at least lacking in practical application.
But on the other hand, branches like Ethics (shapes our laws), Logic (Computer science anyone?), and Philosophy of Science (developed the scientific method, see Karl Popper) are not only relevant, but play a part in our day-to-day lives.
Now, if you are asking if it is worth your time to get a philosophy degree, I will say this, as it is one of the degrees I hold. Unless you plan on getting A's and pursuing a PhD to become an academic, it will in no way be a benefit to your resume. However, it probably will make you a better person.
Second, there are branches of philosophy which are trivial, such as epistimology, and metaphysics, which you can certainly argue to be useless, or at least lacking in practical application.
But on the other hand, branches like Ethics (shapes our laws), Logic (Computer science anyone?), and Philosophy of Science (developed the scientific method, see Karl Popper) are not only relevant, but play a part in our day-to-day lives.
Now, if you are asking if it is worth your time to get a philosophy degree, I will say this, as it is one of the degrees I hold. Unless you plan on getting A's and pursuing a PhD to become an academic, it will in no way be a benefit to your resume. However, it probably will make you a better person.
Dear OP: Back in the day of Einstein, and before, the pursuit of science was hand in hand with philosophy; because they understood that philosophy gave direction and morals to science, gave it a reason and direction. lets take a look at some of the things that philosophy has brought you;
Democracy, individual rights, liberalism, pacificism, socialism, humanism, secularism, universal suffrage and the entire political and moral system of the world - ever, were born from people thinking critically about philosophy
Theres this bizarre belief that philosophy is useless because it doesnt produce immediate physical products, it is my opinion that this sort of attitude is born from ignorance, or perhapes confusion. Philosophy creates political and moral systems.
Well, lets go even further, define 'useless'
Democracy, individual rights, liberalism, pacificism, socialism, humanism, secularism, universal suffrage and the entire political and moral system of the world - ever, were born from people thinking critically about philosophy
Theres this bizarre belief that philosophy is useless because it doesnt produce immediate physical products, it is my opinion that this sort of attitude is born from ignorance, or perhapes confusion. Philosophy creates political and moral systems.
Well, lets go even further, define 'useless'
This basically ends the thread. I would like to add that a master degree in philosophy does add to your resume when combined with another degree, for instance in journalism or politics. But I wouldn't want to search for work solely based on that one degree, indeed.Unreliable said:
What I saw is a bunch of people giving genuinely good refutations to your original arguement, and you promptly ignoring them in favor of 'who knows?'. Some of the greatest social changes in the world and the way the world things are due to philosophy. In fact, you were just saying that people should find ways to alleviate human suffering in the world, which is (believe it or not) a mindset that is a direct consequence of hundreds of years of philosophical thought. We're a far cry from a culture that took their kids to executions for entertainment-purposes. Maybe not as much as we'd like to be, but we've definitely made progress as a species, and that's at least in part thanks to philosophy.Some bullets said: