Re: Question #2150

[Alex]

In his response, Marc Lange says that there does not need to be an
answer to what philosophy uniquely does. Bertrand Russell, however,
said regarding philosophy, "if it is to be a genuine study, it must
have a province of its own," which I completely agree with. I think
there are few reasons that there it is worth thinking about what
"philosophy" is. A definition which is agreed upon by a fair amount of
philosophy (1) is quite a natural desideratum to my mind and
apparently to Russell's if philosophy is to be a field, (2) would be
very useful to the masses as it would clear up what exactly
philosophers do, something AskPhilosophers would clearly benefit from,
(3) might be useful to current philosophers as it could help them
frame what their job and daily activities are really about, (4) would
make philosophy understandable in the context of a university, which
comprises fields whose provinces are much more easily understandable
than that of philosophy (after all, why should philosophy be so
different in this regard?), (5) would be useful to philosophy students
who are thinking about going into philosophy and would likely benefit
with a better idea of what categorizes philosophy.

I have the feeling that philosophers who respond like Marc Lange have
a case of sour grapes: they can't find a good answer, so they don't
think there needs to be one at all. My argument is that it *would* be
nice to have an answer, even if that answer is hard to come by.

[Alex]

Here is the question and response.
http://www.askphilosophers.org/question/2150
-- Alex

[Prem Das]

What's wrong with this picture. So called Philosophers philosophising on the descriptive 'Philosophy'. Does this thing even exist? Inane mental calisthenics masquerading as a serious body of knowledge, "a discipline" even.
If there are 6.7 billion people on earth, there are 6.7 billion philosophical positions and stances on any given subject on any given instance. How does one stuff all this into "a province of its own".
The "aura" of respectability and intelligence, the term Philosophy conjures is the lure. Its completely without substance and completely bogus.
The intention is not to cause offence guys. This IS my philosophical stance and you will agree I am entitled to it. 
 
> Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2009 15:16:44 -0700
> Subject: [AskPhilosophers] Re: Question #2150
> From: boet...@gmail.com
> To: AskPhil...@googlegroups.com