The study of philosophy.
Thank you, Cez Yza, for a crucial question. The answer depends mostly on what we believe makes up a philosopher. If we follow Karl Popper, we are all already philosophers because we all hold philosophical prejudices, that is, we have views on life, the universe, and everything. Being a philosopher in this sense is neither […]
Can anyone become a philosopher? Read More
Thank you, Dom Eccleston, for a fantastic question; it scrutinizes the stereotype of the isolated contemplative sitting in an ivory tower rationalizing their way through metaphysical and existential puzzles. Questioning things that we take for granted is at the heart of philosophy, and all knowledge-driven endeavors, really. Because I trust that you’ll keep reading, I’ll
Does philosophy require solitude? Read More
Secondly, why do you continue to study it? Hi Arjun! Thanks for the (very interesting) question. There are several reasons why I study philosophy and why I will continue to study it in the future. Let me get straight into the most relevant ones. First of all, part of philosophy is to ask (and try
Why do you study philosophy? Read More
Thank you, Emir, for such an intriguing question. I have a bold (many would say foolish) answer for you. I want to suggest that your question is even more correct than you perhaps realise. Western philosophy is, I think, obviously concerned with the occult, at least insomuch as the occult is concerned with things ‘hidden’,
Is western philosophy mostly an occult philosophy? Read More
Thank you Jong Camallere for such a candid question. I am going to start by saying something that many philosophers will consider ridiculous: philosophers do not seek truth, but clarity. The philosophically minded individual must not seek truth, and must even be willing to accept that truth may be unattainable. There are several behaviours that
What behaviour is characteristic of a philosophically minded individual? Read More
Excellent question, Huka Dabaso! This is actually something I have thought about quite a bit. Like many people, before I studied philosophy in a formal sense, I was pondering the same big questions that philosophy has been dealing with since… well, since we started wondering. In his Metaphysics, Aristotle says that philosophy began when man
How can we reconcile public philosophy with institutionalized philosophy? Read More
Hi, Mr Wynn P Wheldon! What an interesting question. Let me briefly sketch some possible answers! First of all, some people might question the assumption that a philosopher should not be wealthy. Although most philosophers are not wealthy (by western standards, at least), it might be totally okay for them to get a juicy salary
Why should a philosopher not be wealthy? Read More
What’s the role of philosophy in our life and could it bring new innovation to our life like science? Thank you, Li Kelvin, for such a crucial question. As is to be expected, the answer hinges on what we take philosophy to mean. If we think it’s just a 9-5 job of detached concept-mongering or
How does philosophy work in our day-to-day life? Read More
Specifically, what makes a question or an answer philosophical? Thank you, Jom Olazo, for an excellent question! The answer depends on what you think philosophy is. I can only give you my take; others will defend a (very) different idea of philosophy – as far as I know, there is no unchallenged notion of “philosophy”.
What makes something philosophical? Read More
Thank you, Jong Camallere, for raising what is a key question at the heart of all philosophy: the question of the meaning, purpose, and value not just of philosophy as a particular thing you can do within life, but of life as it is lived. The classical response is that, in fact, it is a
Is philosophy a waste of time? Read More
