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In my opinion, philosophy as a means of understanding ourselves and our world beyond what science can tell us is essentially futile. In Plato's day, there was n

In my opinion, philosophy as a means of understanding ourselves and our world beyond what science can tell us is essentially futile. In Plato's day, there was no delineation between science, philosophy and mathematics. The word "philosophy" meant "love of wisdom" in Greek. A philosopher was just someone who wanted to discover knowledge of any kind. Over time, philosophers systematized certain areas of knowledge, giving us math, logic, and science. The areas of knowledge that we were able to systematize are no longer considered to be philosophy. Philosophy today, almost by definition, is the study of problems that have resisted all attempts at systematic understanding for two thousand years. It has no wisdom for us. If you want wisdom, look to math and science. Psychology, sociology, biology, physics, astronomy, and mathematics offer knowledge that can help you understand the world and your place in it. Philosophy simply does not offer that kind of knowledge, as much as it does try.

rramadass 6y ago
You make a very good point. The central issue has become; What does the word Philosophy itself mean in the current time and context? The way i look at it is as a holistic integration of the essence of the various compartmentalized sciences. It is of necessity somewhat vague since everything plays into (in some form) what one may call as my emergent consciousness. As a living organism on a time scale, i need to continuously adapt to my circumstances but how do i do it and still maintain autonomy? Nature has given us a brain which thinks thoughts well over and above that of mere survival and reproduction. Hence my need for meaning and happiness. One way is a completely materialistic viewpoint best laid out by Jack London in his novel "The Sea Wolf" - https://old.reddit.com/r/books/comments/1jqpar/what_book_singlehandedly_made_you_change_your_life/cbhweki/ https://old.reddit.com/r/books/comments/1jqpar/what_book_sin... The other way is to either subscribe (suspending judgement) to an existing school and follow its Religion or come up with your own based on what appeals to you.

rramadass 6y ago

You make a very good point. The central issue has become; What does the word Philosophy itself mean in the current time and context? The way i look at it is as a holistic integration of the essence of the various compartmentalized sciences. It is of necessity somewhat vague since everything plays into (in some form) what one may call as my emergent consciousness. As a living organism on a time scale, i need to continuously adapt to my circumstances but how do i do it and still maintain autonomy? Nature has given us a brain which thinks thoughts well over and above that of mere survival and reproduction. Hence my need for meaning and happiness. One way is a completely materialistic viewpoint best laid out by Jack London in his novel "The Sea Wolf" - https://old.reddit.com/r/books/comments/1jqpar/what_book_singlehandedly_made_you_change_your_life/cbhweki/ https://old.reddit.com/r/books/comments/1jqpar/what_book_sin... The other way is to either subscribe (suspending judgement) to an existing school and follow its Religion or come up with your own based on what appeals to you.