Here is the link to the reading we did in class today. I highly encourage all of you to read some more of Bill Vallicella's writing, as it really is top-notch (although some of it is very technical). After re-reading the piece, answer the following prompt:
-According to Vallicella, what is the point of studying philosophy, and why does he argue that such study should not be justified in pragmatic terms? Do you agree with him?
The point of studying philosophy according to Vallicella is not to help you with other things, but to help you in the pursuit of truth. In other words, philosophy is not something that will come in handy with any other activities that you might be doing such as art or math. Philosophy is something that stands on its own, away from the influence of anything else. It should only be studied by an individual if they know that philosophy can only be useful when talking about philosophy, and nothing else. He argues that philosophy should not be justified in pragmatic terms because it simply is not worth justifying the study of philosophy in this way. Instead, one should "go on the attack and question his values and assumptions". This means that instead of having to justify your studies, make whoever is questioning you justify theirs. I agree with Vallicella on his views on how philosophy should be studied and justified. I think he puts a unique view on the study of philosophy that I never thought about before.
ReplyDeletePhilosophy is a way to consider and evluate important questions about our world, such as "Does God exist?" Therefore, the primary goal of philosophy as answering those questions. It also has some useful byproducts, but that is besides the point. Philosophy is not just for its byproducts. Philosophy is a good on its own, and, like mathematics and the arts, needs no physical benefit to confirm its justification.
ReplyDeletePhilosophy isn't just about learning for critical thinking or reasoning. It is the reason for the ultimate questions in the world. We could go even deeper then just say it has a look on ultimate question. For some people it is way of life to ponder about everything. Not just the ultimate questions but the details of that ultimate question. Like for example if god is everything and lives in heaven and god is part of everything on earth. Therefore isn't earth heaven.
ReplyDeleteStudying philosophy, by Vallicella means that it is used to answer important questions. The important questions should be about the world and religion. There are multiple things that make up philosophy, and many things that philosophy can help answer. Philosophy is not something that we can see, but it is something that we believe in and try to understand.
ReplyDeleteStudying philosophy, Vallicella says is used to answer ultimate questions about the world and religion. These ultimate questions are multiple ideas and instances that make philosophy what it is. philosophy can also provide the answer to those ideas and instances. We only believe in philosophy. You could call it proofless knowledge
ReplyDeletevallicella is saying that philosophy should not be studied to help with anything else such as a subject in school, but should be studied to have more of an understanding about that certain topic. we are here to find truth. for example when talking about God, we all have our own philosphy and opinions. however, what are they useful for exept for your own understanding and knowledge. i agree with him, because realistically, i wouldnt be getting an award for knowing my philosophy. we have our own opinions, and is personal.
ReplyDeleteAcoording to Vallicella, people should study philosophy not because of such benefits such as improved reading and writing skills, but becuase philosophy is a means unto itself, that its purpose is to understand our world, and that that is a meaningful goal, even if it cannot be argued in pragmatic terms. I would heartily agree with this statement, for I would agree that philosophy is a means unto itself.
ReplyDeletePhilosophy is definitely a great way to pursuit the truth, but that is the only fulfilling aspect of it. The main point of being interacted with philosophy is to find the truth of our world around us and even beyond it. People do not study philosophy just to make a living, although some do, but they do it so they can find everything they have been searching for. Vallicella agrees with this idea, stating that philosophy should not be studied in school to hone their skills, yet they should discover what is truly the most important questions to uncover about the universe, such as it's origin, a trace of God, and the meaning of life.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Vallicella philosophy is the pursuit of truth and not just something to help you with other things as in the case of liberal arts. And the point of this is the search for truth and not for better writing or critical thinking skills. He argues this because he believes that you should study it for the sake of learning the important questions that should be answered in life. And so i agree with this because we should all be well rounded and get different views on the world not just what we are told and see.
ReplyDeleteVallicella states his belief that philosophy does not need to be justified in such pragmatic ways because it should be studied for one's own self-fulfillment. He does not believe that philosophy necessarily needs to serve some sort of utilitarian purpose in order for it to be useful and important. I agree with Vallicella's argument because not everything has such practical applications. Many things, such as any sort of sport or hobby, are done just to give one joy and entertainment. I see philosophy as a form of self-enlightenment, thus making it important in itself.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Vallicella, the point of studying philosophy is to find the ultimate truth. He thinks that philosophy should not be justified in pragmatic terms because of his views of philosophy. Vallicella believes that philosophy is not meant to improve one's arguing skills or anything of the like. He believes that philosophy is studied to answer the big questions in life (e.g. Why are we here?). This makes philosophy more of a quest to find answers that fufill us. Like learning an instrument, it does not necessarily have a practical use. It is studied to help fill a void; to try to find sense in the world. I agree with this view because I do not believe that everything needs a purpose. Most things that make people happy do not have any practical applications other than to instill happiness into people. I don' think that these kinds of things should be questioned or eliminated for their lack of purpose. I think that we should take the time to appreciate what they do for us.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Vallicella philosphy is supposed to be about answering the "Ultimate Question" about human existence. Vallicella thinks that people become a philosopher to be able to become a better critical reasoner or a deeper thinker, which in his mind is the wrong reason. To him philosophy has no purpose but to boast to your friends, which in itself has no purpose either. I agree with Vallicella because there is no real career that philosophy can be the center of.
ReplyDeleteFrank
According to Vallicella point of studying philosophy is because he was suppose to be answering the unlimited question. He thinks that philosophy should not be remarked in pragramic terms because of the way he view philosophy from his perspective.
ReplyDeleteI agree with him because I think everything does not need to be argued about and does not need a purpose.
Vallicella argues that the study of philosophy doesnt need to be studied in a classroom. he feels that philosophy should be more for yourself and your understanding of the universe. the ulitmate question of the universe is to question human exsistence.you dont study philosophy to improve thinking and evaluating comlicated subjects but to better understand the reasoning behind the universe.
ReplyDelete-paige
Vallicella argues that we should not study philosophy to help us argue more but we should study it to understand it. He argues this because so many people do not understand philosophy but they argue it and use it in situations to try and prove a point. I do agree that we should learn the concept of philosophy before we try to argue it because if we do not know it then we will not make sense in our argument. We may think we are but we would probably sound like babbling idiots. So yes I do agree that instead of arguing philosophy for the sake of arguing we should learn the material, make sense of it and then use it to our advantage.
ReplyDeleteThe point of studying philosophy is not as a means to an end. The problem even with many professional philosophers is that in attempting to justify why someone should study philosophy, they use pragmatic, "means-to-end" rationalizations. Vallicella sees this as not only an incorrect and silly way of going about the problem, but as a DIRECT BETRAYAL of the art itself! Philosophy should not be "justified". Why do musicians study music? What is the point of exploring the expression of passionate emotion through artistry?? What, then, is in it for me if I take the time to ponder the ultimate question of our origin and its implications??? Well, pragmatically, there isn't one. But to many of us, especially the intellectual sector of society, it is still incredibly important. I agree with Vallicella's view in that it is above material things and necessities.
ReplyDelete--Gareth Haynes
Philosophy is the search for reason. Philosophy is important because it can bring a stimulating sense of balance. Questioning a higher omniscient being can be comforting. the only good outcome from philosophy would be enlightenment. Philosophy can be a good way to stretch your mind and open it up to more theories and ideas.
ReplyDelete