Philosophers Philosopher Philosopher

Have you met toddlers

who constantly ask – Why?

Why…? And why...? Well,

you might say that

philosophers never grow

out of that age, asking

questions incessantly. They

ask "Why?", but also

"How?", "What?" and

other questions, and look

for answers, too.

The aim of philosophers is

to better understand the

world around us: How

should a just country

operate? What is the value

of art? Is there but a single

truth? You may have

noticed that philosophical

questions require

thinking, rather than

experiments, surveys or

polls.

In ancient Greece, all of

human knowledge was a

part of philosophy

(literally: the love of

wisdom). Later on,

knowledge split into

branches – social studies,

the sciences, and so on.

Where, and With Whom, Do Philosophers Work?

While researching, philosophers usually work on their own: at home, at the university, at a

library, even at a cafe. Sometimes they consult colleagues: other philosophers.

In addition, most researchers teach students, or give lectures to a general audience

interested in acquiring philosophical education.

Another professional path for philosophers is practicing practical philosophy. These

practitioners are not necessarily PhDs (see What Should Philosophers Learn). Philosophical

counselors, for instance, help people and organizations reach decisions, solve problems,

define goals and cope with other thinking and analyzing strategies using philosophical

thinking tools. The consultant meets with a single person or a group, according to needs.

Philosophers also form "ethical codes" – rules of behavior – for various organizations.

In the Wax Argument, French philosopher René Descartes

imagines a piece of wax, and tries to understand what makes it

into a piece of wax: what qualities we'll find in any piece of

wax. He thinks he recognizes the wax using his senses: sight;

smell; touch; the sound it makes when tapped, etc. But then he

remembers that when it's heated, its form changes, it turns soft

and fluid instead of hard and solid… what remains unchanged?

Apparently, we recognize the piece of wax as he same rough

thought, rather than our senses. What about ourselves? How do we know I'm always me,

as a baby, a child, an adult; when happy, sad, dreaming...? And what about other people?

A Philosopher's Workday

Contemplation (deep

thinking) is very

difficult, and ideas

don't always arise

when needed. This is

why you might see

philosophers

strolling in fresh air,

sitting in various

places staring at

nothing, or in

various other

places and poses,

trying to come up with ideas.

What Should Philosophers Learn?

Philosophers acquire a university

education. They learn Logic (how to draw

conclusions); get acquainted with past

philosophers and their ideas; tackle

questions from various philosophical

fields, and finally write a vast research,

which, once approved, entitles them to a

PhD ("Doctor of Philosophy"). Since most

of human knowledge developed from

philosophy, most of the doctorates are

called "PhD", even if granted for a Physics

or Literature research (this is a different

title from MD – medical doctor – that

physicians hold).

Questions for Philosophers to Consider

Philosophy is all about questions. Here are some interesting philosophical questions:

What do we live for? How to find a purpose in life? Is pleasure the most important

thing in life?

What is justice? Can the same thing be just in a certain time and place, and unjust in

another time or place? Who can determine what is just? Is it just to have someone

determining what is just and what isn't?

How can we reach certainty in knowledge? How can we tell that what we think is true?

Is there but one truth? Could truth and falsity be merely a human invention?

What is infinity? Is the universe infinite? If not, what's beyond it? (This is an example of

a question that may someday become scientific. As science reveals new facts, we may

be able to answer it scientifically, and not just speculatively. Philosophy deals with

questions we cannot measure: they are abstract, and can only be answered by thought

and speculation).

Can goodness exist without evil? What would be the

meaning of "good" in a world without evil? Are people

good? Bad? What makes them good or bad?

There are also questions of other kinds, for example:

Should there be a connection between my philosophy and my

personal life? If I philosophically deduce that my government

does bad things – can I sit still, or must I act? (Note that

this is a philosophical question in itself).

Should I continue researching a single subject, or try

a new one, undertaking much new learning?

Socrates (a Greek philosopher who lived

about 2,500 years ago)