The Critique Of Bertrand XV: The Value Of Philosophy

Some would say that philosophy and the critical thinking that comes with it is as important to the mind and soul as food is to the body. This influence philosophy has on an individual has been argued as having various degrees by innumerable scholars. One such that makes the case for its relevance is Bertrand Russell, in his The Problems of Philosophy, most notably in “Chapter XV: The Value of Philosophy.” In his writings, Russell strongly illustrates the value philosophy holds and the importance in the study of it. In his writing, Russell comes to a two main conclusions. The first of these regards the value of philosophy. He first goes on to explain how the value of the subject should be measured. He mentions that the value of other academic fields can be appraised by the knowledge it contains and truths it has brought about, while philosophy has no such thing similar that could show its value (Russell). This statement first seems to be lame, but he then rebuts it by pointing out that philosophy’s goal is to critically think about questions in attempt to discover the truths behind them, and that once these truths have been found, they no longer fall under the category of philosophy, but of some other science (Russell). One …show more content…
He says the value cannot be measured by what it has answered, however it has helped to find many truths for other sciences, but that which it leaves unanswered and open for knowledge expanding thought. He encourages and entices the reader to themselves study philosophy, explaining how it will benefit and release them to a freedom. Throughout his argument he tantalizes those who do not study philosophy as arrogant and living in a closed off world. This not only makes the reader not want to be one of those people, but makes the ones who are begin to question themselves, which is what he wants to be the reaction to his