Can Humanity Survive Without Philosophy?

[Nick_A]

Scott provides good definition of philosophy:

Philosophy consists of the contemplative investigation of the most fundamental aspects of existence, life, knowledge, and value. Philosophy concerns itself with how to live one's life (ethics), what one knows, can know, and how one knows it (epistemology), and what can be said to exist (metaphysics).

The word philosophy comes from the Greek word philos, meaning love/affinity/friendship, and the Greek word sophia, meaning wisdom. So a philosopher is literally a lover of wisdom.

This excerpt is from Jacob Needleman's book: The Heart of Philosophy:

Chapter 1

Introduction

Man cannot live without philosophy. This is not a figure of speech but a literal fact that will be demonstrated in this book. There is a yearning in the heart that is nourished only by real philosophy and without this nourishment man dies as surely as if he were deprived of food and air. But this part of the human psyche is not known or honored in our culture. When it does breakthrough to our awareness it is either ignored or treated as something else. It is given wrong names; it is not cared for; it is crushed. And eventually, it may withdraw altogether, never again to appear. When this happens man becomes a thing. No matter what he accomplishes or experiences, no matter what happiness he experiences or what service he performs, he has in fact lost his real possibility. He is dead.

……………………….The function of philosophy in human life is to help Man remember. It has no other task. And anything that calls itself philosophy which does not serve this function is simply not philosophy……………………………….

We know what it means to physically die but can a person be physically alive while spiritually dead? As Jesus said "Let the dead bury their dead."

Philosophy can teach us how to react to everyday life but it can also inspire us through noesis to remember what has been forgotten and the connection to our source as explained in Plato's theory of Forms.

Can we unite them so that what we DO can eventually reflect the knowledge of what we ARE?

[Tegularius]

We know what it means to physically die but can a person be physically alive while spiritually dead?

Absolutely! But not likely the other way around.

As Jesus said "Let the dead bury their dead."

We all know Jesus performed miracles but I have no idea how he could have performed this one.

[Nick_A]

Tegularius, I think Jesus meant to let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead

[Burning ghost]

I honestly don’t understand the question.

It is a bit like asking if a human could’ve think like a human would they be human? The answer is ‘not really’. If we cannot think/plan/analyse then we’re not really ‘living’. Even in the broader animal kingdom creatures actively (maybe not ‘consciously’) plan/analyse.

I think I’m not quite understanding the context of the question properly? It does look a little like some distinction between ‘Platonic’ thought and ‘Aristotelian’ thought ... both are ‘philosophical’ though.

Maybe explaining will help you examine further what interests you.

[Nick_A]

Burning Ghost, Are you fmiliar with the Platonic world of forms? Plato drew a sharp distinction between knowledge, which is certain, and mere opinion, which is not certain. Opinions derive from the shifting world of sensation; knowledge derives from the world of timeless Forms, or essences.

The idea here is that the seed of the soul is attracted to these timeless forms or essences which also enables us through conscience to "feel" universal objective values. It is its life and philosophy nourishes it and influences it to remember its source. This remembrance is called anamnesis. However it can inwardly die and all that is left for a person is the debate over opinions provoked by our senses. There is nothing left to receive and be drawn to a priori knowledge of forms

[RexArthur]

Actually, it's dubious that humanity will "survive" with or without philosophy. But, for survival, would trust the senses over heavenly learned forms. So, without philosophical consideration, I quickly snatch my hand from a hot stove. And, because I suffered a flooded home from the last hurricane, I start taking climate change seriously and believe something should be done. Philosophy, like crosswords puzzles, is an enjoyable educational luxury for those have the time and means to pursue such endeavors.

As for my Philosopher of Choice: Eric Hoffer, a truly sensible individual.

[Tegularius]

Tegularius, I think Jesus meant to let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead

Why would that be be necessary? It makes no sense. The dead get buried or cremated by necessity. Spirituality has nothing to do with disposing the dead. There are things Jesus "supposedly" said that only prove he wasn't the brightest candle among humans.

[Nick_A]

Tegularius, I think Jesus meant to let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead

Why would that be be necessary? It makes no sense. The dead get buried or cremated by necessity. Spirituality has nothing to do with disposing the dead. There are things Jesus "supposedly" said that only prove he wasn't the brightest candle among humans.

You don't seem to be aware that a person's personality can be alive on the outside or one of these philosophical zombies previously mentioned. Yet their essence can be dead on the inside with no connection to their origin or Source.

[Pattern-chaser]

We know what it means to physically die but can a person be physically alive while spiritually dead?

Absolutely! But not likely the other way around.

Either way round is possible, in the sense that we cannot currently demonstrate that either is impossible.

"Can a person be physically alive while spiritually dead?"

This will have the analytic philosophers apoplectic with anger! They will dismiss the question as nonsense, and then fill your thread with needless continuing objections until the discussion is properly derailed.

But for myself, answering the spiritual, subjective, and therefore unscientific, question, I'd say "yes". There are many reasons why this could be so. One is someone who remains alive for the sake of the children, or the like, but takes no part or pleasure in life beyond the unavoidable essentials. There are surely many other examples.

[Nick_A]

This will have the analytic philosophers apoplectic with anger! They will dismiss the question as nonsense, and then fill your thread with needless continuing objections until the discussion is properly derailed.

But for myself, answering the spiritual, subjective, and therefore unscientific, question, I'd say "yes". There are many reasons why this could be so. One is someone who remains alive for the sake of the children, or the like, but takes no part or pleasure in life beyond the unavoidable essentials. There are surely many other examples.

I see you are a man of experience with secular intolerance and how threads get derailed. But still it is basic philosophy

“Give me beauty in the inward soul; may the outward and the inward man be at one.” ~ Socrates

The inward man is the spiritual and can die just as the outward or physical Man can

[Tegularius]

Tegularius, I think Jesus meant to let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead

Why would that be be necessary? It makes no sense. The dead get buried or cremated by necessity. Spirituality has nothing to do with disposing the dead. There are things Jesus "supposedly" said that only prove he wasn't the brightest candle among humans.

You don't seem to be aware that a person's personality can be alive on the outside or one of these philosophical zombies previously mentioned. Yet their essence can be dead on the inside with no connection to their origin or Source.

If you want to put it in terms of origin or source its genealogy would stretch back to the beginning of creation.

A philosopher, more often than not, appears to me more like a ghost who needs to engineer his own reality, Plato being a prime example.

[Tegularius]

We know what it means to physically die but can a person be physically alive while spiritually dead?

Absolutely! But not likely the other way around.

Either way round is possible, in the sense that we cannot currently demonstrate that either is impossible.

"Can a person be physically alive while spiritually dead?"

This will have the analytic philosophers apoplectic with anger! They will dismiss the question as nonsense, and then fill your thread with needless continuing objections until the discussion is properly derailed.

But for myself, answering the spiritual, subjective, and therefore unscientific, question, I'd say "yes". There are many reasons why this could be so. One is someone who remains alive for the sake of the children, or the like, but takes no part or pleasure in life beyond the unavoidable essentials. There are surely many other examples.

I can understand how a person can be physically alive but spiritually dead or, as you say, "takes no part or pleasure in life beyond the unavoidable essentials" but no idea how one could be spiritually alive but physically dead as per my trite little statement. But as usual in philosophy anything is possible.

[Pattern-chaser]

I can understand how a person can be physically alive but spiritually dead or, as you say, "takes no part or pleasure in life beyond the unavoidable essentials" but no idea how one could be spiritually alive but physically dead as per my trite little statement.

There is much more to this, from a spiritual perspective. I tried to give a down-to-earth illustration, so as not to put the analytic philosophers off.

A person who gives no thought or attention to spiritual matters - none at all - is (in effect) spiritually dead. The reason why someone would behave this way is immaterial. That spiritual matters play no part in their existence is sufficient. I imagine there are many circumstances in which this sad state of affairs could come about.

[Tegularius]

I can understand how a person can be physically alive but spiritually dead or, as you say, "takes no part or pleasure in life beyond the unavoidable essentials" but no idea how one could be spiritually alive but physically dead as per my trite little statement.

There is much more to this, from a spiritual perspective. I tried to give a down-to-earth illustration, so as not to put the analytic philosophers off.

A person who gives no thought or attention to spiritual matters - none at all - is (in effect) spiritually dead. The reason why someone would behave this way is immaterial. That spiritual matters play no part in their existence is sufficient. I imagine there are many circumstances in which this sad state of affairs could come about.

I believe it's extremely rare for a human not to have any emotions at all without which spirituality cannot manifest itself. Even Hitler was transported by Wagner's music. On a daily basis spirituality is not a requirement and may actually be a hindrance. As for putting analytic philosophers off or any philosophers why should you care? All philosophy is a matter of interpretation and fair game!

[Pattern-chaser]

On a daily basis spirituality is not a requirement and may actually be a hindrance.

Do you offer evidence to support this opinion? On what basis do you judge? What is it about spirituality that you see as a possible hindrance?

As for putting analytic philosophers off or any philosophers why should you care? All philosophy is a matter of interpretation and fair game!

I was just trying to be polite, and not to derail discussion by encouraging insult-swapping. Debate can be seen as a search for knowledge, learning and understanding. I chose to see it that way, not as a way of 'winning' arguments.