Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

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UniversalAlien
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by UniversalAlien »

WanderingGaze22 wrote: July 14th, 2021, 1:26 am I feel that philosophy's main purpose is to learn and have epiphanies about life. It helps us to learn from experience and make the lessons learned from each encounter more understandable for future generations. Having a profound interest shows just how dedicated one is to a cause or an ideal.
HELLO and welcome.

That is a decent answer :arrow: :idea:
WanderingGaze22
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by WanderingGaze22 »

Thank you!!
popeye1945
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by popeye1945 »

Philosphy has many purposes and no purpose, like evolution itself its essence is to change with the changing world, in whatever way the world dictates.
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UniversalAlien
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by UniversalAlien »

popeye1945 wrote: July 22nd, 2021, 8:58 pm Philosphy has many purposes and no purpose, like evolution itself its essence is to change with the changing world, in whatever way the world dictates.
Then again you could say that, philosophy, exists not to "change with the changing wolrd" but rather to change the world -
And not the way the world dictates - But rather the way we dictate the World to be :idea:
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by popeye1945 »

UniversalAlien wrote: July 23rd, 2021, 6:17 am
popeye1945 wrote: July 22nd, 2021, 8:58 pm Philosphy has many purposes and no purpose, like evolution itself its essence is to change with the changing world, in whatever way the world dictates.
Then again you could say that, philosophy, exists not to "change with the changing wolrd" but rather to change the world -
And not the way the world dictates - But rather the way we dictate the World to be :idea:
UniversalAlien, Excellent, but all human doing is reaction, even if it is just the physical world one is reacting to. In this it is true to nature, capable of change.
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UniversalAlien
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by UniversalAlien »

Now I propose a purpose that philosophy should be used for:

To ascertain the validity {truth} of concepts, not only obscures and esoteric, but things we may deal with in real life in the here and now.

The truth of ads in our world of consumerism can save money and therefor may improve our lives - To think about what they appear to be saying in comparison to the reality of the situation [Car dealers offering you 'cash back' when they are trying to take your money is one example}.

Political ads by politicians who often say one thing and end up doing otherwise when elected is another example.

Another words philosophical analysis of the real world of Human interaction can separate the mostly true from the disingenuous.
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OneGeist
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by OneGeist »

While keeping my mind and vocabulary sharp are certainly reasons for my continuous interest in philosophical literature. The main reason I have always enjoyed understanding different philosophies is for self reflection. I knew at a young age my ideals and opinions of the world did not coincide with my family and those around me. The only place I was able to reflect upon my own ideas and try to understand them was through learning and understanding as many theological and philosophical ideas as I could. The more contrasting and coinciding thoughts and beliefs I learn. The better I can pin point my own. While they may not be original I know they are my true feelings. Having had them put in question on many occasions by the some of the greatest minds in history.
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Psych-Philosopher
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by Psych-Philosopher »

Philosophy is the age old study of abstractions through logic. Abstractions such as love, existence, and god to name a few. These abstractions can either be expressed through belief, understood through logic, or both. Philosophy doesn't dictate what is valid, only what is consistent and logical. Through logic and observations the philosopher can pursue truths beyond observation. Seeing how people collaborate and putting together what society truly is, for example. Philosophy by this definition is an exploration into concepts which we created in the first place.

Each step towards truth is a step towards understanding what it means to be human. Through observing and defining the ideas that people take for granted, we can slowly uncover what our ideas really say about us. There is a lot more to it, still. Truths of the universe through metaphysics and epistemology, are our way of attempting to read the code of the universe. We seek to read our own reality, which can mean the truth of our existence or even the nature of reality itself.

The purpose of philosophy is understanding, it is the only field that pursues wisdom. Philosophy allows us to touch upon truth and become wiser while the pursuit of wisdom leads us to philosophy. Wisdom and philosophy are intertwined, connected at the hip. The question in the end of the day is, what is the purpose of wisdom? I believe understanding rids us of fear and elevates us as a species further beyond nature. Philosophy is the art of truth.
WanderingGaze22
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by WanderingGaze22 »

UniversalAlien wrote: July 15th, 2021, 4:05 am
WanderingGaze22 wrote: July 14th, 2021, 1:26 am I feel that philosophy's main purpose is to learn and have epiphanies about life. It helps us to learn from experience and make the lessons learned from each encounter more understandable for future generations. Having a profound interest shows just how dedicated one is to a cause or an ideal.
HELLO and welcome.

That is a decent answer :arrow: :idea:
Greatly Appreciated!
tsihcrana
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by tsihcrana »

I'm preaching to the choir here, but throughout history philosophy has originated monumental amounts of practical advancement. How many fields of human advancement branched from philosophy, after all? And how much of human advancement are those fields responsible for? If not for the 'lovers of wisdom' throughout time perhaps we would still be huddling together in caves afraid of whatever beasts lurk outside in the dark?

The purpose of philosophy is, for me, the indulgence of innate curiosity. However, the (perhaps unintended in most cases) outgrowth of it throughout history amounts to a sizeable portion of human progress. While it's not true to say the consequences of a thing are automatically synonymous with its purpose, it at least takes the wind out of the sails of those claiming philosophy is pointless.
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remy
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by remy »

Controlling/Building one-s curiosity for the world around them as well as within them.
popeye1945
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by popeye1945 »

Wonder in motion, ignorance is the foundation of wonder, philosophy is the recognition of ignorance, no recognition, no wonder, then no philosophy. Thus, the wind dry withered and blew us away!
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Lagayscienza
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by Lagayscienza »

Sure philosophy (still) has a purpose. It helps to analyze and clarify concepts. Science does this, too, but when concepts are sufficiently honed, science takes the next step and looks into things empirically. Going empirical may be more difficult or not be possible for some of the difficult questions that philosophy deals with. So philosophy has a purpose there. But we don't have to be academic philosophers to do philosophy. It can be fun and instructive. Ordinary people do it all the time, usually without realizing it. We do it here. It's exercise for the mind.
La Gaya Scienza
FrankSophia
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by FrankSophia »

I would argue the point of philosophy is what Plotinus calls henosis...

Does this realization ultimately have a purpose though?

The result is a better understanding of reality, but this is very localized.

From any larger perspective it is completely irrelevant.
FrankSophia
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Re: Does Philosophy have any Purpose ?

Post by FrankSophia »

Our own transformation does not transform reality...

If that transformation was widespread enough much could be different...

Still, is there actually a purpose in that?

Less who are brought into this world would necessarily suffer here...

It doesn't actually create a purpose though...

Even notions of the highest heavens don't actually create purpose long term...

Anything we're exposed to long term will become utterly mundane...

How does long term pointlessness equate to purpose?
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