Philosophy: Is it Practical

[Truthstalker]

If we base our actions on what we believe, and we base what we believe on how we see the world, and how we see the world is the domain of philosophy, then I say yes.

 

[cpayne]

Yes, eminently practical. Before doing all of the other things we typically think of as “practical,” we should ask the question: “Is this worthwhile for a human to be doing? What makes a worthwhile life, anyway?” Before you know it: philosophy begins to happen.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

practical:

of or pertaining to practice or action: practical mathematics…
adapted or designed for actual use; useful: practical instructions…

I ask, as usual, practical for whom?

Given that so much of philosophy is about logic, then philosophy is practical or useful for survival and survival concerns everyone.

Given that so much of philosophy is about the nature of knowledge itself, then philosophy is practical or useful for seeking out Wisdom. Not everyone has a use for Wisdom.

pragmatic:

Relating to or being the study of cause and effect in historical or political events with emphasis on the practical lessons to be learned from them.

He who does not learn from history is doomed to repeat it.

Not everyone has any interest in understanding history. But that says nothing about the inherent pragmatism of philosophy for everyone.

This aspect of ‘practical’ is about survival and Wisdom.

 

[WanderAimlessly]

Philosophy promotes critical and logical thinking which is sorely lacking in today’s society.

In addition, Economics is an outgrowth of Philosophy and is considered by some to still be a Philosophical discipline.

 

[cpayne]

Most philosophy possesses an inherent raison d’etre–the goodness of inquiry, the goodness of wonder, and so on, whether or not it has any practical consequences. Knowledge is not necessarily power, nor should it be. However, as has just been pointed out, some branches of philosophy have a definite “praxis” side to them: economics, politics, and ethics, notably.