When we think of philosophers we think of the great men we have been studying such as, Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Mill, etc. However, all these men were from the 19th century and later. Rarely do we hear or talk about philosophers from present day. Have philosophers become extinct? No, I can’t say that they no longer exist because there are still philosophers around. However, I do believe that the amount of philosophers has diminished today. Why is this though?
Philosophers study and form their beliefs and theories on how they think things should or ought to be and what actions are morally right or wrong. Each of them develops their own ethical theory from their opinions and preaches it to everyone. Of course philosophers have followers, but they also have critics. I believe this might be a reason as to why philosophers have diminished because often times, with each critique comes the question, if their theory realistic? So if parts of theories are unrealistic are people giving up on forming them?
Plato’s theory about a just soul and a just state does make sense. However, how applicable is this to real life? Aristotle preaches about happiness and how you must habituate yourself in order to become virtuous. I’m sure a lot of people will agree that happiness is the highest good for humans but what does Aristotle’s theory tell us to do when faced with a moral conflict? It makes sense that one should determine if their actions will be right or wrong before acting, and Kant’s Categorical Imperative seems to be a good way to do so but realistically will people take the time to think through the entire thing before making a decision? Also aren’t there exceptions to lying or stealing in life? Even Utilitarianism has its objections. The greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people seems to be a logical answer when faced with a moral dilemma. Yet, once again how realistic is this choice? Especially when someone is personally affected and they aren’t apart of the majority.
These are just some of the examples of how philosopher’s theories can be unrealistic. So is it because of this? Or is it because of something else?
Hi Allycia,
ReplyDeleteI think you ask an important question here: namely, what causes us to follow an idea or to reject it. Also, I think you are correct to say that the perceived practical value of a theory is often a key factor in making such a decision.
Nevertheless, I feel that I must point out to you that philosophers are nowhere near extinct, and neither is philosophy on the decline. What you discuss here is the branch of philosophy called ethics, whereas philosophy also includes logic, epistemology, and metaphysics, to characterize the profession in very general terms. As I write this, I have sitting next to me a 600+ page book, which is filled primarily with the writings of modern metaphysicians. So, no, philosophers are not extinct, and the amount of work that I (as well as Manali, Matt, Cat, and Hannah) have to do in our metaphysics class attests to that.
Still, I don't think that this says anything negative about your post. There have been thousands upon thousands of people throughout history who are worthy of the title "philosopher," but most of them are largely forgotten except to those who practice philosophy as a profession. Based purely on our ethics class, for example, one would think that there were no philosophers of ethics in the 1,500 years between the Stoics and Kant, but nothing could be farther from the truth!
I hope that I don't sound patronizing, because I genuinely don't feel that way. I just felt that, as a philosophy major, I had a duty to defend philosophers against the charge of going extinct!
Also, I'd like to point out that these thousands of philosophers have been forgotten, not because they are now worthless, but rather because survey courses (like ours) can only hit on the "big names." I mean, it has been said that all philosophy is merely a footnote to Plato. How do you compete with that??
ReplyDeleteThe same can be said of any school of academics.
Allycia,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Colin has said above, but also want to comment on what I think may have motivated you to make this post. It is true that in this class and many other courses that even remotely touch on philosophy, the "big names" are studied - Plato, Aristotle, Kant, etc. But that's because those are philosophers that are traditionally studied and have established theories that have been studied, debated, and built upon for centuries at this point. What you don't often study is current philosophy, or the areas of philosophical study that are being created and expanded upon today. Those areas, such as gender and "queer" theory, are really the new and advancing areas (and exciting ones, too!). Maybe the reason you think philosophy is on the decline is because the more "cutting edge" philosophy is not something the average Rhodes student is exposed to - you have to seek it out.
I'm not trying to be presumptuous, but I could see how to above reasoning could lead to this post. As to your questions about the applicability about different philosophical/ethical theories being a cause of decline, I'm going to take the Mill way of responding. Everything philosophical theory has the potential to be applied incorrectly - this is the consequence of human fallibility. The same could (and is) said about religion. Witnessing religious groups trying to "pray away the gay" doesn't exactly incline me to take up religion. But I also recognize that that particular failing of Christianity as a religious theory is the fault of the actors misapplying doctrines, as a selfish Utilitarian would be misapplying the Greatest Happiness Principle. Does that make sense?
But I think you posed some really good questions here. Hope I helped to answer some of them.
While i agree for the most part what with the others have said in here, I believe that it's not that philosophers are going extinct as there are still many many present day philosophers, but it's the current time we live in that prevents their work from being as widespread as previous philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. The big names in philosophy we still study because they have been studied for as long as they've been existent and are considered the basis for any sound learning, but modern philosophers are not because in our time period of extreme political correctness and attempts to appease every demographic it is very hard to get particular works on moral issues published.
ReplyDeleteAllycia,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great post! I am glad you wrote on it! As a philosophy major I will agree with Colin and Jane in that philosophy is not extinct. However, I think your concern about extinction is grounded in your confusion about philosophy's applicability. I completely agree that it is hard to see philosophy's applicability sometimes. When I started out with philosophy and read Plato and Aristotle for the first time, I thought their theories were the most ridiculous things that I had ever read because, just like you, I just could not figure out its applicability to anything today. After reading Plato and Aristotle a few times, Ancient Philosophy is one of my favorites now! Also, when we study feminist and race theory as it applies to Ethics, you may think about philosophy.
So, I wonder if your view will change about the applicability when you run into Plato and Aristotle again. Also, I am curious to see what you think of Nietzsche's theory's applicability after studying him this week.