Philosophy Now Forum

It seems most people get along fine in life without regards to philosophy. I think one of the reasons why the voter turnouts in recent US elections is so low is due to a disregard of philosophy where people are only concerned with day-to-day living and a feeling that no matter what one believes in, won't change a thing.

What say you to this? Is philosophy still a worthwhile pursuit?

PhilX

Everyone has and 'does' philosophy, whether they are aware of it or not. The formal stuff in old books is not necessarily superior to the philosophy of ordinary, inarticulate people who never write it down - indeed, a lot of the formal stuff in old books, written by men with classical educations, sounds erudite as all getout, while being poppy-cock, based in the flightiest of intellectual fancy.

As for politics, it's never been anything to do with philosophy. However the office-seekers present their position, what they actually do, once they've gained power, is quite else. Many voters are aware of this; many are not; some are disengaged; some are disillusioned; most hope that our chosen representative will at least attempt to do some of the things we want done.

People are going to do whatever they want to do, regardless of whatever philosophy they study or follow. Some think having knowledge of philosophy is following philosophy. People can study and talk about different philosophies and they might follow one they like when it suits them.

The only people I've met who actually follow some sort of philosophy are those that follow a religion. Never met anyone who followed a philosophy. People's passions or desires are usually stronger than one's discipline to follow a philosophy and any worthwhile pursuit requires discipline. Discipline can be trained but usually life can throw some pretty cruel stuff at you, and most if not all will abandon a philosophy when in actual practice that is the time they'll need it most.

Same with anger or aggression, another human trait. And then as skip suggested, basic ignorance.
Desire, aggression, and ignorance are basic human traits and why it seems necessary but difficult to follow a philosophy.

Philosophy Explorer wrote:Can we get along without philosophy?

I couldn't. I'd have to get a real job.

Philosophy Explorer wrote:It seems most people get along fine in life without regards to philosophy. I think one of the reasons why the voter turnouts in recent US elections is so low is due to a disregard of philosophy where people are only concerned with day-to-day living and a feeling that no matter what one believes in, won't change a thing.

What say you to this? Is philosophy still a worthwhile pursuit?

PhilX

Yet you answered your own question, as what I highlighted in red above is in fact a philosophy. Though it's a bit dismal.

"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." --Peart--

Life would be shallow and even more frightening without philosophy.
Like the life of a beast.

You could say that birds don´t do farming and they are still nourished by God.

Yes, but they are permanently watching out for dangers and they are looking for food for themselves or for their young all day long.
Never a dull moment.
A life full of stress and misery.
I wouldn´t like to change places with them.

duszek wrote:....
Yes, but they are permanently watching out for dangers and they are looking for food for themselves or for their young all day long.
Never a dull moment.
A life full of stress and misery.
I wouldn´t like to change places with them.

Then you'd better not live in Palestine or Nigeria or Pakistan or Mexico or Kentucky or.....
Religion gives people another source of fear and guilt. Politics give them another kind of threat, another source of anxiety. Ideas don't save us from the stress of survival - they just add more dimensions to it.

Skip wrote:

duszek wrote:....
Yes, but they are permanently watching out for dangers and they are looking for food for themselves or for their young all day long.
Never a dull moment.
A life full of stress and misery.
I wouldn´t like to change places with them.

Then you'd better not live in Palestine or Nigeria or Pakistan or Mexico or Kentucky or.....
Religion gives people another source of fear and guilt. Politics give them another kind of threat, another source of anxiety. Ideas don't save us from the stress of survival - they just add more dimensions to it.

Yes, unless of course they all hold another idea, that everyone on the planet deserves the right to their own ideas, to live and let live; secure in their own version, allowing others equal rights to theirs.

Even in totalitarian regies people found ways to cultivate free thought, in order to preserve their sense of personal dignity.

I once met a man from Georgia who learnt Polish in order to read forbidden Russian writers in Polish. Russian police couldn´t read Latin letters so it was safe to smuggle such books into Georgia.

In times of internet people have more easy access to free thought and can inhale on the quiet.