Philosophy?

Question

Would poeple say that philosophy has no place outside of academia? Or, take an alternative view that given changes in society philosophy's future is now outside of acadamia?

Answer 1

It is involved in almost every discussion you have these days and seems to creep into every aspect of our society. I would not say it is rooted outside academia but it has certainly become more widespread.

Answer 2

Philosophical studies have a lot of applications outside of academia, and more every year. Bioethics is a huge example:
What would you do if you knew that a child you conceived was doomed to live a short and difficult life?
Should stem cells or fertilized eggs be given the same moral status given to human beings? If so, why?
If genetic information can reveal a high risk of disease, and therefore be used to deny insurance coverage, should we use genetic testing?
Are we obliged to spend resources on people like Terry Schaivo, who no longer have any higher brain functions?

All of those are ethical issues, but there are important nonethical philosophical questions as well. A big one is "What does it mean to know something?". Does the fact that there are people whose religious beliefs cause them to deny global warming or evolution mean that there is serious dispute over global warming or evolution?

Answer 3

I studied philosophy at Oxford, moved on to psychiatry and then ran a hedonistic resort in southern Spain. A little of it helped me, but a lot of it misled me and confused the simple paths I was sometimes offered. I studied Theology, humanities and building houses, the home building course took three weeks. I built a ten bed roomed resort in Andalusia and made big money. Philosophy, is something that once got me into trouble when I wrote an Island constitution, I based it on Aristotle's ancient Greek city system. Had I not been an intellectual type, perhaps I could have made my system work. Philosophy, ideology, humanities and psychiatry, they all pale into a sepia void in comparison to the reality of that building lecture. I hate the time I wasted in trying to find myself.

Answer 4

I believe that the proper palce for philosophy is when your alone at 2.00AM and you finished half a bottle of good whisky.

Answer 5

Philosophy happens all the time. Even this question is philosphical.

Answer 6

i think philosophy takes part in everyday life sometimes we dont even notice we are doing it

Answer 7

Philosophy is the way we think. It is everywhere in our life.

Answer 8

i agree with icaruscatfish - its anywhere you see it fit, but better after a few drinks :-)

Seriously though - where do you draw the line for philosohpy?