Philosophy and its limits

[ElvenVeil]

I imagine that philosophy is something that many of you like to tinker with, so I wish to start a thread regarding this topic.

What I wish to talk about (discuss maybe even(!)) is the legitimacy of philosophy as a tool for understanding. Where can philosophy be used, and what do you believe its limits to be?

I looked at these questions some years back myself, and my conclusions were that it seems philosophy to be relevant in two directions.

1) for introspective discoveries, as it can bring about a feeling of understanding of oneself. However the body and mind is not seperate but one a result of the other, and so an understanding of oneself must also be an understanding of the needs of the body (eating healthy etc)

2) within science. I do not believe that the actual workings of the world is found through sitting around and think, but through research and data. However the interpretation of data, and further back, the manner of how we collect our data (within some sciences) philosophy becomes much more interesting. This is naturally named philosophy of science, and so here, philosophy brings about consideration of what we do, but it, just like for underestanding of oneself (though to a much larger degree here) is not a sufficient tool in itself, if we wish to understand how things work.

Edit: I might have put this in the wrong sub forum

 

[Bhagavat]

Philosophy is an excellent (and unavoidable) tool for enhancing understanding in any discipline or subject (not just science). Especially in the humanities.

Note: I'm not trying to define philosophy as merely a supplementary aid to other intellectual endeavors.

 

[SpaceYeti]

Philosophy is great for learning how to use logic, how to apply reason, but besides that it's not especially useful in an objective sense.

 

[Bhagavat]

Philosophy is great for learning how to use logic, how to apply reason, but besides that it's not especially useful in an objective sense.

Well, it's useful objectively insofar as you can apply logic. In my life, this happens a lot.

 

[Da Blob]

Philosophy is the most noble method of acquiring wisdom - by reflection.

It is a shame that more don't use it for that purpose, but rather play silly words games and pretend that makes them wise.

Modern philosophy generates little opportunity to learn wisdom, perhaps that is why ancient philosophy is still so popular.

 

[snafupants]

With the advent of science, philosophy is on increasingly shaky cosmological/ontological turf. That said, philosophy would ideally instruct the reader how best to live, a la Montaigne or Aristotle. Some philosophy is useful for trenchant social commentary as well. Russell and Locke come to mind.

 

[kora]

philosophy defines ideologies and therefore how society acts and thinks. I think everything starts with philosophy.

If you criticize my post don't expect an answer within the next minute as I need to arrange my thoughts more on what I've just said please do so however.

 

[Antediluvian]

I think there is a widespread commitment among philosophers to adhere to scientific realism and naturalism. So, there's a synergy there, I guess. I'm not entirely knowledgeable on the subject.

 

[Bhagavat]

philosophy defines ideologies and therefore how society acts and thinks. I think everything starts with philosophy.

If you criticize my post don't expect an answer within the next minute as I need to arrange my thoughts more on what I've just said please do so however.

I am only criticizing what you posted because you said please. Philosophy does nothing in itself. It is an abstraction. More accurately, Humans use philosophical thought to define ideologies, which in turn affect society.

When you say philosophical thought is used to define ideologies, you suggest those ideologies that were defined already existed. Something must first exist to be defined. If an ideology already exists, wouldn't it be possible that it already is impacting society? Furthermore, I would not limit the function of philosophical thought to defining established ideologies. It would seem more accurate to say, therefore, "philosophical thought is used to clarify existing ideologies and conceive new ones".