[Serious] Generally speaking, is philosophy a worthwhile subject of study?

[polymath257]

And I was asking for actual philosophical theories that turned into good scientific ones.

And I think your passionate belief that only science is worthwhile is causing you to ignore the fact that philosophy does other things -- ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, etc., which are not testable by science, but are valuable for human flourishing.

You hold your own metaphysical beliefs very adamantly: physicalism and nominalism. These are not testable by science. Yet you seem devoted to them.

It seems to me that if philosophy doesn't offer anything worthwhile, then your own confidently held philosophical beliefs are not worthwhile. If your philosophical beliefs are worthwhile, then philosophy is worthwhile.

Ethics and aesthetics are very important. I just don't see them as areas of knowledge, as opposed to matters of opinion. Questions about diverting trains to alternative tracks, for example, helps us explore our moral biases and intuitions.

Metaphysics is mostly so outdated that it is currently useless. It needs to be redeveloped from the ground up.

As for physicalism, it is tested and has been tested since the rise of modern science. The simple fact that we undeniably know more about the universe than we did 400 years ago *because* of the use of the scientific method is the test.

And I did not say that philosophy does not offer anything worthwhile. It is very useful for having good discussions with friends. It is good for exploring our assumptions and forcing us to question our beliefs. That is a good thing.

But philosophy is bad when it thinks it actually gets answers as opposed to asking good questions.

I also want to note that some philosophers want to claim *all* organized thinking for philosophy. And that is simply silliness. The distinguishing nature of philosophy is that it works with no data and no testing. it explores our assumptions and use of language (and that is worthwhile). But it does NOT offer knowledge.