"Philosophy and Practice", my talk at AT&T Bell Labs, in a special Speakers Forum, on 1992 January 31

[Thirumala Raya Halemane]

"Philosophy and Practice", my talk at AT&T Bell Labs, in a special Speakers Forum, on 1992 January 31 

In the 3 images here, we see, "Philosophy and Practice", my talk at AT&T Bell Labs, in a special Speakers Forum, on 1992 January 31

and here below is an attempt to type out their contents 

1)

Philosophy and Practice

T Raya Halemane

Speakers Forum

January 31, 1992

When I was growing up, I picked up the message from around me that 

philosophy was not for the common people, that 

philosophy was for the sages, that 

philosophy was for those who renunciated life 

and for those in old age awaiting death.

In my life, for a long time I did not think about philosophy at all, but looking 

back I realize that there was philosophy 

(although I was oblivious to it).

Today I will talk about philosophy and practice, 

what is philosophy, what is practice, 

what is the connection between the two.

Philosophy is to life as physics is to matter.

Physics is developed by making observations on nature.

- take for example, the planets, observe their motion, make measurements 

and analyze the data, look for the underlying principles 

(Keplers's laws).

Physics is also developed by making experiments in the laboratory. 

For example, the conservation of momentum principle can be derived by 

making measurements on collision of cars on the air track in the laboratory.

New experiments, new observations and new data bring up the 

need for new theories and principles.

2)

For example, phenomenon at high velocities 

could not be explained by Newton's laws, 

and therefore, theory of relativity was needed.

Similarly to physics,

Philosophy is to be derived by looking at individual and social behavior 

and looking for the underlying patterns and values. 

This is to be done not at just a single point or stage in time, 

but over the entire course of history.

New advances in the way life is lived, brings in new patterns and new philosophical ideas.

Once physical principles are discovered, we try to fit the whole world / universe 

into that order of things. 

But it may not fit ! because nature is very complicated.

For example, the whole world would not fit into the Newtonian model of physics. 

New principles were needed.

Similarly new philosophical principles are stated. 

If people try to fit their lives literally into those principles, 

it could lead to distortions - 

because life and society are very complicated, 

and the philosophical model may not be complete.

Philosophy is like a gentle hand, not a rigid hand, 

on the driving wheel of an automobile.

3)
We look for the underlying practical values that everybody can agree with, 

values like fairness, justice, responsibility, individual rights, happiness, 

freedom, do your best, ask for what is due to you if not given etc

Values cannot be pushed to the extreme, 

if done so, it will lead to distortions, 

Values have to be balanced between themselves and with the existing  

background conditions. 

(if a particular value has been subjugated at that time in history, 

it may need more emphasis to set things right. 

For example, communist philosophy 

arose because workers were exploited).

Before I close, let me highlight the main points I have made in this talk. 

1. Philosophy is for the common people. 

2. Philosophy has to conform to nature. 

3. Philosophy has to be tied to practice in daily life & work.

4. Exceptional cases must be accommodated 

5. Philosophy has to evolve, just like science and technology evolves.

Finally, let me leave you with a thought.

THINK ABOUT YOUR PHILOSOPHY

You will understand yourself better.

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[Thirumala Raya Halemane]