Dear Group,
This is obviously not a book review, but I just wish to determine if I'm following the procedures correctly in my initial writing.
Philosophy addresses all things in the universe which we seek as real and meaningful; that which we can know, that which we ought to do (that is, all of our actions), that which is pleasurable and beautiful to us, and that which simply is; that is , what is the nature of all existence, especially, of course, our own species. Philosophy also addresses anything we may possibly imagine. In addition, philosophy deals with the search for the divine and knowledge of the divine. Everything is subsumed under these categories, which are the realm of philosophy. Philosophy also must deal with the linguistic (written , spoken, silent), artifactual, natural, and graphic way in which all of these are expressed. In addition in seeking these things and expressing them, philosophy needs a medium or instrument to structure the questions and possible answers. The medium in itself is a philosophical problem. To further challenge the philosopher, questions of human subjectivity and objectivity are applied to all questions and answers. That is, what emanates only from us and what is completely alien to us, and how can we connect the two? Consciousness takes on a considerable role in this overall scheme of understanding the universe, and the unconscious also comes into play. There are some, especially in post modern times, who have argued that philosophy has lost its reason for being. I think not.
Regards,
Bob Fanelli
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6 comments:
Hi Bob,
Welcome to the team. We are so happy to have you join us and I am looking forward to your reviews.
Your contributions will allow us to expand our knowledge base and help us develop our own ideas to new heights.
You WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
Regards,
Suzanne.
A very taught and approachable summary of the far reaches of your realm. I look forward to more.
Combining your two roles on this blog, are there any worthwhile recent books that survey the history and status of philosophy? I haven't found many approachable books besides the old Will Durant, which is excellent but does not discuss newer approaches such as structurlism/post-structuralism.
Just trying to get use to this format.
I hope my comments on the left are not too long.
Bob
Good'ay Bob, Eugene Binx here: I note that comments so far have not answered your ? What is Philosophy? You asked. Well I'd suggest it's the academic disipline concerned with making explicit the nature and significance of ordinary and scientific beliefs thus investigating the intelligibility of concepts by means of rational argument concerning their presuppositions, implications and interrelationships. It is also the particular doctrines relating to these issues of a specific individual or school of thought, any system of belief,values or tenets and of course a persnal outlook or viewpoint. In other words it's the Art Of Ambiguity & Arbitrary Measurement. You summed up, "There are some, especially in post modern times who have argued that Philosophy has lost its reason for being," but you, "Think not." I'll suggest that Philosophy has yet to find its reason and use for being. I'll leave you with this last thought, "We know that necessity was the mother of invention, but were the mothers of invention a necessity?"
Best wishes from:
eugenebinx@hotmail.co.uk
I think Bob's definition of philosophy is terrible. First, knowledge of the divine is optional in this day and age, the contemporary political surge of theocracy notwithstanding. Secondly, crucial to philosophy is epistemology, which is given short shrift in this definition. Binx's take on philosophy is skeptical and austere, but at least the question is raised: well, does philosophy really have a reason for being any more? I would suggest that both professional philosophers and popularizers have failed miserably in summing up what has been learned by the end of the 20th century and what the prospects for the future are. I don't believe that the questions of philosophy are eternal and that we should just continue on popularizing philosophy as if they are, as if there is nothing to learn from accumulated historical experience. The professionals have not done much better. Ultimately, the relation between philosophy and the empirical knowledge of the world has to be settled, and more importantly, explained to a popular audience, and I haven't seen that happen.
Philosophy, at the very least, has traditionally dealt with being, knowledge, and value--those categories can of course be expanded to include aesthetics, politics, science, etc., but minimally this is what we're dealing with: what is real, how do we know, and what is the nature of our investment in the world? Those concerns can not disappear as long as reflection exists and we don't achieve perfection, but they are modified historically with changes in both the accumulation of knowledge and the organization of society. If popularizers of philosophy cannot explain this, they are useless.
This is in a short response to Ralph.
There was no attempt to define Philosophy. My purpose in offering this intitial discussion of philosophy was to demonstrate that one may discuss the merits or value of philosophy without any technical terms; in the spirit of Nietzsche. My words were offered to all and offered for all to think about. Your paragraphs are dense and loaded with polemics. This 101 site is for book reviews, and my duty is to pick out philosophical nuances in the review, which have importance in the sense of 'seeing into the life of things (Wordsworth).' Let us get on with the business of enjoying a good book review.
Bob
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