A Lesson in the Practicality of Philosophy I Learned Today

[genkaus]

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? Case in point: Zeno's paradox of Achilles and the tortoise or "arguments" for the existence of God. Are these really worth the fuss if their application in practical matters amounts to zilch? (What difference does an argument for God's existence matter apart from a religious experience, which is entirely non-rational, anyway?)

I'd say that not only philosophy ought to make a practical difference in our lives in order to be meaningful, it does make a difference.

The problem I see here is that you are equating discussion of abstract principles that don't have a direct relevance to practical matters with the whole of philosophy. Firstly, a lot of philosophy does deal with very practical matters - like political philosophy. Secondly, even those abstract principles can have application in practical matters like the whole field of mathematics.

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I think philosophers could offer quite a lot to society in a manner that would easily be defined as practical, but few do. Philosophers wouldn't necessarily be relied on for answers, but would be very valuable in framing discussions. Sadly, most philosophers cocoon themselves in academia and spend their time attempting to advance a very fine technical point that only serves the discipline.

I think you are talking more about today's academic philosophers in universities. Philosophers through history can and have made enormous practical contributions to society.

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I am positing the idea that philosophers en masse descend from the ivory tower and engage the public.

They might if there was money in it. As it stands now, the only place most philosophers can make a living is inside the ivory tower of academia. Only a few would be capable of succeeding outside it.