I disagree. Classically, philosophy was about establishing truth (which is why it is called philosophy - literally love of knowledge). But establishing truth was seen as a subset of better living.
Not true. Classically, philosophy was most certainly about the truth. How could you know what better living is without knowing the truth? What "better" or "living" really are? Ethics, which is about what a good life is, depends on an understanding of human nature.
What do you think Socrates was doing when he attacked the sophists of Athens? Living better? I guess, if you like taking hemlock.
If you are not interested in the truth, every theory becomes a weapon to hide it. This is why instead of teaching theories you have to teach the love of truth — coincidentally that is the meaning of the word philosophy.
Technically I believe a philosopher is a lover of wisdom, rather than just truth. But I guess you could rightly argue that truth is a subset of wisdom... :)
The problem is that philosophy is thought to provide us with the truth. When in fact the truth of philosophy is that it shows us there is no truth. It helps us break down the illusions not create them.
Philosophy is easy. It takes a different skill set and is a more developed field, however their is nothing that verifies mistakes so you can succeeded without being absolutely correct.
The problem is when you confuse what you need to do to succeed with the search for truth.
The point of philosophy is to ask better questions, specifically questions that do not mystify the problem and thus perpetuate it. It's is not and has never been about answers. - love, a philospher
I'm curious, how so? I've always considered the investigation with philosophy worthless without it as a way of living. Is distinguishing between the two useful?
Philosophy is a science of science. It's original purpose is to define the foundations of knowledge and principles of building knowledge. At least that's how I perceive it.
All that blathering about meaning of life and whatnot that people often see as philosophy's main topic of exploration is, in fact, for most part an exercise in argumentation and exploration of logic.
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