A Lesson in the Practicality of Philosophy I Learned Today

[bennyboy]

On a more serious note, to what degree would you agree or disagree that philosophy ought to make some practical difference in our lives if it is to be considered meaningful?

I'd disagree with that philosophical argument much as I'd disagree with a similar scientific argument. You never know what path is going to lead to something interesting later; but you can be sure if you never push yourself to inquire, you'll never learn anything new-- except what it feels like to be boring and unoriginal.


For those who claim philosophy's a waste of time if impractical, I'd ask about the practicality of other common activities: watching Oprah reruns, playing lame phone games, jerking off. . . none of those is likely to cure cancer, either. At least philosophy has the advantage of allowing someone to think, and you don't have to be (too?) embarrassed if someone catches you doing it.