has philosophy lost its way?

[Belinda]

Philosophy won't be out dated as long as professional people need ethics, and as long as we need to revise our ideas

[Iwannaplato]

And here in what some construe to be the "either/or" world, actual objective answers are within reach. Science, after all, using the "scientific method" is coming up with new and astounding discoveries every year. In fact, every week it sometimes seems. Where is the equivalent of that among philosophers when using the "philosophical method"?

These are two very different fields. One response could be that the scientific method came out of philosophy - of course, back then, people tended to not be so specialized, so the well educated person would be interdisciplinary. But coming up with approaches to gaining knowledge is part of philosophy.

But then at a more general level there are two ways that philosophy functions and continues to be productive. The overlap, but what the hey....

Philosophy is the creation of concepts
-Deleuze/Guattari

"Philosophy is exclusively an affair of the mind, pure reflection. It leads us to notice what escapes ordinary perception."
-Simone Weil

The first is from philosophers who wishes we had and allowed more ways of experiencing. If you actually have a conception of another way of experiencing and living, then it is more possible to be able to do that.

The second quote is a more usual sense of philosophy: it brings into the light phenomena that common sense may not notice. Take something like the idea of a panopticon in Bentham got extended by Foucault and then for example by critics of the surveillance state/industry. The philosophers teased out of experience a pattern that people might not quite been aware of or aware of at all. If you walk through the woods and don't know the names of trees and perhaps aren't even aware of distinctions like coniferous and deciduous, you don't really see certain things. Those distinctions can come out of science (though there are other, non-scientific ways of noticing differences between individual trees, for example). But when it relates to interpersonal relations, subjective experience, political and other power dynamics and so on, philosophy is coming up with terms for and also teasing out processes that we may not think of, may not notice.

This can be invaluable and affects many other fields: politics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, ethnology, etc.

Those looking for answers to, say, the meaning of life, might want to engage in one of or many of the various technique based practices - religions being some of them.

But we should judge philosophy for not being like science. It is a kind of training in thinking, noticing and potentially changing how one lives.

It also gives one a wide range of tools to react to, analyze, criticise, see the assumptions in, the ideas that come flying at one.

I guess I ended up with three things philosophy does.

[iambiguous]

Why Is Philosophy Important Today, and How Can It Improve Your Life?
Jack Maden at the Philosophy Break site.

Philosophy essentially involves thinking hard about life’s big questions, including...how it works, why we are here, how we can know anything about the world, and what our lives are for.

Okay, given that philosophy has been around in "the West" now for thousands of years, you tell me what philosophers have finally come to conclude regarding things of this sort.

Now, how about an exchange of conjectures regarding why, in fact, they have not reached a consensus about any of them.

Here at Philosophy Break, we believe the practice of philosophy is the antidote to a world saturated by information, and the more that people engage with philosophy, the more fulfilling their lives will be.

Clearly, for any number of us, this is certainly the case. But when philosophers themselves become deontologists, there's the part where some are able to attain political power. Enough power that they are able to enact and then enforce their own One True Path.

You either go along or else.

The addictive nature of the digital world, for instance, afflicts many of us. The relentless torrent of information saturates our attention spans. But life is finite, and the things we give attention to define our lives. It’s crucial to break free from the turbulent current and come up for air.

As though for each of us here who may be living very different lives out in very different worlds, philosophers have succeeded in providing a refuge for those who do come up for air. Instead, given all of the different schools of philosophy, turbulence is often created by philosophers who construe human interactions given any number of conflicting dogmas.

[Belinda]

Why Is Philosophy Important Today, and How Can It Improve Your Life?
Jack Maden at the Philosophy Break site.

Philosophy essentially involves thinking hard about life’s big questions, including...how it works, why we are here, how we can know anything about the world, and what our lives are for.

Okay, given that philosophy has been around in "the West" now for thousands of years, you tell me what philosophers have finally come to conclude regarding things of this sort.

Now, how about an exchange of conjectures regarding why, in fact, they have not reached a consensus about any of them.

Here at Philosophy Break, we believe the practice of philosophy is the antidote to a world saturated by information, and the more that people engage with philosophy, the more fulfilling their lives will be.

Clearly, for any number of us, this is certainly the case. But when philosophers themselves become deontologists, there's the part where some are able to attain political power. Enough power that they are able to enact and then enforce their own One True Path.

You either go along or else.

The addictive nature of the digital world, for instance, afflicts many of us. The relentless torrent of information saturates our attention spans. But life is finite, and the things we give attention to define our lives. It’s crucial to break free from the turbulent current and come up for air.

As though for each of us here who may be living very different lives out in very different worlds, philosophers have succeeded in providing a refuge for those who do come up for air. Instead, given all of the different schools of philosophy, turbulence is often created by philosophers who construe human interactions given any number of conflicting dogmas.

Philosophy remains relevant to individuals' aspirations and curiosity, political theory, ethics, linguistics,anthropology, historiography, and I don't know what else.
Philosophy is an art form and as such does not deal in consensus beliefs. True, philosophers influence one another circumstantially and historically as all artists do to more or less a degree as long as cultures interact with each other.
Philosophers, like all other people, are in process of change from birth to death and so philosophers' ideas change too.

There is today more than ever before ***need for ideas to be subjected to close examination for validity, useful practical applications, amelioration of the human condition, and improvement of subjects' own characters and personalities.

*** Today we are set to destroy not only humans but the entire biosphere.

[iambiguous]

From MSN...

Most People Struggle to Understand These Philosophical Questions...

“Is Time an Illusion?”
Time sculpts the world around us, allowing us to divide up our lives into smaller chunks. However, is time just an illusion, or does it hold a powerful significance in the fabric of reality? This question tests our understanding of time, encouraging us to reflect on the essence of the past, present, and future.

“What is the Meaning of Life?”
Nearly every human being has questioned the meaning of life. Are we just put on this earth for no reason or is there a purpose for our existence? While we may never get a true answer, Harvard Medical School suggests that when people feel that their lives have meaning, they see their lives as significant, purposeful, and valuable.

“What is the True Nature of Reality?”
In a search for knowledge, many people have debated if the society around us is truly real or if what we perceive is simply a product of our experiences and interactions. Scientists hold the belief that reality is subjective and that reality is a separate entity from our mind.

“Do Aliens Exist?”
Possibly one of the most pondered questions of our time, many people waste years researching if aliens do in fact exist. While mankind has already made progress by making contact with the moon and widening the scope of space exploration, there seems to still be speculation around the existence of aliens, raising questions about the possibility of other entities beyond Earth.

“Why Does Evil Exist?”
Many people who believe in a higher power that’s protecting all of us on earth, seem perplexed with the idea of evil. They cannot comprehend that someone like God would allow evil on earth, where crime and bad deeds are widespread. Evil coexists with suffering, and many in society argue that life would be improved if evil were completely eliminated.

“Is Love Real?”
The age-old question, “Is love real?” has swirled around many people’s minds for years now. Love is described as a powerful force that connects people in partnerships, family, and even with themselves. While some argue that love can be explained as a chemical reaction, other optimists believe it has a spiritual significance.

“Is Society Just a Social Construct?”
Society consists of intricate webs of systems, authorities, and frameworks that shape our lives and actions. This prompts the idea that the societal structure might be more of a collective human agreement than a fixed reality. It challenges our sense of self and encourages us to rethink our assumptions and views.

“Do Humans Have Free Will?”
According to Psychology Today, the question of free will has long challenged philosophers and religious thinkers. While many argue that we all have free will and the power to orchestrate our own lives, there are others who would believe that all of our actions are already predetermined.

“Does Having More Choices Lead To Greater Happiness?”
Many people attribute the power of having more choices to a greater level of satisfaction or happiness. On one hand, the abundance of choices can empower individuals, offering a sense of autonomy and control over their lives. However, for many, being spoiled for choice when it comes to materialism and consumerism does not necessarily equate to happiness.

“Are We Living in a Simulation?”
It may seem unrealistic that as humans, we are floating through space on a rock. The bizarreness of our existence has prompted many people to wonder if we are living in a simulation. As technology advances at a rapid rate, we now have the means to consider what famous philosophers once debated; that we do in fact live in a simulated reality.

“Do We Have Certain Traits Based on Nature or Nurture?”
Genetics plays a huge role in crafting our minds, appearance, and behaviors. Our DNA determines what traits we inherit from our parents. However, the environment we grew up in is increasingly being credited for shaping us. Therefore, many people suggest that nature and nurture interact with each other and can be studied in conjunction.

“Is Beauty Subjective or Objective?”
Some may argue that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, other people suggest that beauty is black and white. While it may be possible that the idea of beauty is largely influenced by human perception, modern beauty trends such as cosmetic surgery would suggest that there are specific beauty ideals that everyone wants to adhere to.

“Does God Exist?”
We all like to think that there is someone watching over us such as a supreme being or deity. Probably one of the most important philosophical questions relates to the existence of God as we have no physical proof of his existence. The BBC suggests that our views of God, physics, or anything else ultimately depend on perspective.

“What is the Self?”
The debate over “what is the self” persists because it strikes at the core of human identity, challenging our understanding of who we are. It includes profound philosophical inquiries into consciousness, existence, and personal identity, sparking diverse perspectives and interpretations.

“What Is The Significance of Death?”
The topic of death triggers debates because it touches on the deep mystery of what it means to be alive and our eventual end. It encourages us to think about what life means, what might come after death, and what we leave behind. This journey explores deep worries, religious thoughts, and the traditions we follow, shaping how we view death, an unavoidable part of life.

“How Should We Live Our Lives?”
The topic of how to live our lives sparks discussion because it deeply affects our personal morals, happiness, and how well society gets along. It leads us to deep questions about what makes us happy, what our goals are, and how we should act toward others, bringing out different opinions and beliefs.

“Do Animals Have Rights?”
The Guardian proposes that people have been arguing fiercely, dogmatically, and even violently about animal welfare for a very long time. Our relationship with animals is a complex one. We treat some animals more humanely, such as the pet dog, yet we apply different logic to farm animals.


Then those among us who have absolutely no qualms whatsoever insisting that only their own answers count.

[Phil8659]

Man, I had no idea that Philosophy had and eyes, or means of transportation. So, is Philosophy like Stevie Wonder, and has a chauffer?
Never minding how it gets around, I, in fact, I would say, that a person who habitually anthropomorphizes things, outside of mythology as a teaching method, ain't worth answering.

[iambiguous]

Man, I had no idea that Philosophy had and eyes, or means of transportation. So, is Philosophy like Stevie Wonder, and has a chauffer?
Never minding how it gets around, I, in fact, I would say, that a person who habitually anthropomorphizes things, outside of mythology as a teaching method, ain't worth answering.

Note to others:

You tell me.

[Phil8659]

Man, I had no idea that Philosophy had and eyes, or means of transportation. So, is Philosophy like Stevie Wonder, and has a chauffer?
Never minding how it gets around, I, in fact, I would say, that a person who habitually anthropomorphizes things, outside of mythology as a teaching method, ain't worth answering.

Note to others:

You tell me.

Rejected script segments from Terminator series "I like your emoticon."