what surpeises you the most about philosophy?

Question

Why?

Answer 1

Well, one thing that surprises me is that you put this in the social sciences category. Another is that you apparently have not found the spell checker yet.

But seriously, the most surprising thing I found when I studied philosophy in college was how much detail is involved. The Chairman of the department told us that we would not be answering any questions until our Ph.D. candidacy! You work on a few definitions in undergraduate school, start formulating questions in the master's program, and eventually get to some answers in the Ph.D. program.

And in a way, it's true. Because when someone asks a question like "Do you believe in God?" you first need to define at least "believe" and "God," and possibly "you." You also need to be aware that two people engaged in normal conversation (not just heavy philosophical conversation) often are not working with the same definitions, and yet believe they are communicating. A really good example of this is when people talk about what they want and what they need. I daresay just about everyone divides those two differently. To me, "need" is just about survival, and everything else is "want." To another, "need" includes what is necessary to their happiness, or their good mood, or whatever. Mothers frequently include the desires and needs of their children in "need," as in "I need a new Barbie doll." Politicians will include what is necessary for them to win the next election. Now, you and I know the world would not come to an end if he lost the next election, and many of us might feel the world would be better off. But to him, it's a need.

Answer 2

What surprises me the most about philosophy is that very few study it, and many think they understand it.

If people actually sat down and studied it, and learned to think in a rational and logical manner, the world would be a much better place.

Reason over emotion. Probably won't happen, since promoting reason is not very profitable.

Answer 3

That most people have ad hominem reactions and are not very philosophical at all. It is, unfortunately, not surpeising. Kind of like your spelling, lazy and hap hazard.

Are any critical thinkers awake?

Answer 4

Nothing.

Philosophy is a topic on which you form your own thoughts and opinions. There's nothing really suprising about it.

Answer 5

That so many people don't know about it and cannot even define left or right wing.

Answer 6

That anyone cares and that you can get a degree in it.
Anyone can philosophize

Answer 7

How logical it is, yet how so few people understand it. And therefore, people become so irrational.