Why Philosophy?

1. CHAPTER TWO
Why Philosophy?

2.  First, that philosophy, which started
centuries before Christ, shows no sign of
coming to an end.
 Second, that there is no such thing in
philosophy, once it has gotten off the
ground, as a completely new idea.
 Roman philosophers were almost
completely dependent on Greek thought.
 Thomas Aquinas “adopted” Aristotle.
 Contemporary philosophers admit they are
indebted to Greek and Medieval thinkers.

3.  This answers to some extent Johann’s Why
Philosophy?”
 Johann admits as “in our age of streamlined
efficiency” when philosophy is “under a cloud.
 Johann cites a few reasons for this:
 (1) Man misunderstands philosophy’s nature and
function by comparing it with science.
 (2) Man experiences his own life as a problem
 Being a thinking creature, he realizes his life depends
on what he makes of it.
 Being free, he realizes he can decide, he is
responsible for such decision.
 (3) He turns to philosophy only to discover that reality
is not something only out there but that is also
involves him.
 The quality of his life depends on “his own free
response.”

4.  Philosophy is not to explain life but to help constitute
it. By making man aware of the implications of his
actions, of the range and scope of his life.
 It is a level on which man is faced not with the
disposition of things or the mastery of the world that
surrounds him, but with the disposition of himself and
the decisions that determine his own meaning.

5. REFLECTION 2
1. Do you agree with the statement that philosophy
raises the quality of man life? Why?

6. REFLECTION 2
1. Do you agree with the statement that philosophy
raises the quality of man life? Why?