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Classically, philosophy is not about establishing truth. It is about better living.
by dr_dshiv 6y ago
Classically, philosophy is not about establishing truth. It is about better living.
- bobthechef 6y agoNot true. Classically, philosophy was most certainly about the truth. How could you know what better living is without knowing the truth? What "better" or "living" really are? Ethics, which is about what a good life is, depends on an understanding of human nature. What do you think Socrates was doing when he attacked the sophists of Athens? Living better? I guess, if you like taking hemlock.
- dr_dshiv 6y agoThat is precisely why Socrates did what he did. And the truth is certainly important for living better—but there is knowledge in philosophy that goes beyond verbal truths.
- goatlover 6y agoPhilosophers asked metaphysical and epistemological questions in ancient Greece, India and China as well as questions about how to live a good life. Philosophy has always been plenty diverse.
- garbagetime 6y agoI disagree. Classically, philosophy was about establishing truth (which is why it is called philosophy - literally love of knowledge). But establishing truth was seen as a subset of better living.