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The value of philosophy.

Running head: The value of philosophy.

The value of philosophy.
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1. Bertrand Russell states that despite the problems of philosophy it’s still essential to be studied. He says that many men, due to the influence of science and practical affairs are inclined whether philosophy is anything better than innocent but useless which results partly from a wrong conception of the ends of life partly from a false understanding of the kind of goods which philosophy strives to achieve. According to Russell, philosophy like all other subjects aims primarily at knowledge which gives unity and system to the body of the science and the kind which results from a critical examination of the grounds of beliefs and prejudices.
According to Russell, the value of philosophy is indirect and found through its effects upon the lives of those who study it. He argues that philosophy does not have direct value; it’s not useful in any ordinary sense. Philosophical activity is for the sake of the questions themselves. Therefore by pursuing these questions enlarges our conception of what is possible, enriches our intellectual imagination, diminishes dogmatic assurance which closes the mind against speculation and consequently an important subject to be studied.

Also studying philosophy can establish the truth of specific answers to certain fundamental questions such as; has the universe any unity of plan or purpose? Is consciousness a permanent part of the world, giving hope of indefinite growth in wisdom or is it a transitory accident on a small planet on which life must ultimately become impossible? Among many other questions. He also argues that most philosophers supposed that what is of most importance in religious beliefs could be proved by strict demonstrations to be true.
 He says that the value but of philosophy should be sought mainly in its uncertainty.Russell further argues that it's worthwhile to study philosophy since it relieves prejudice.He continues and says that man who does not know philosophy goes through life imprisoned in the harm derived from common sense or the habitual beliefs of his age or his nation and from convictions which have grown up in his mind without the cooperation of his deliberate reason. To him, the world tends to become definite, finite, evident and unfamiliar possibilities are automatically rejected.
Despite the fact that philosophy may be unable to tell us with certainty  what is the correct answer to the doubts which it raises, its able to suggest many possibilities which enlarge our thoughts and free them from the tyranny of custom thus it dramatically increases our knowledge as  to what they may be, it to some extent removes  the somewhat  arrogant dogmatism  of those who have never travelled into the region of liberating  doubt and keeps alive our sense  of wonder by showing familiar things in unfamiliar manner.
On top of its unsuspected possibilities, philosophy has value through the greatness of the objects which contemplates and the freedom from narrow and personal aims resulting from the contemplation. Philosophic contemplation does not divide the universe into two hostile groups that are friends and foes but instead views the complete impartiality. When it is unalloyed thoughtful consideration dies not to aim at proving that the rest of the universe is non-essential to man. Philosophy also leads to enlargement of self which is attained when not directly sought but when the desire for knowledge is alone operative through studies.

Moreover, philosophy also lets in the outside world and enlarges our interests. He writes that if one needs their life to be free and high, they must escape the prison of their private world. He believes that everything that depends on the secret world distorts the object of contemplation and prevents the union of the purpose and the intellect.

Russell still further says that the aim of philosophy is the achievement of knowledge through criticism which gives unity systems to the body of sciences. However, he says that philosophy does not maintain a substantial body of a particular experience in the sense that history, mathematics or physical science do.
I, therefore, agree with Russell that philosophy is worthwhile subject to be studied because it does not only give answers to some uncertain questions but it much empowers one with knowledge for the sake of problems themselves which result in enlargement of peoples conception of what is possible, it also enriches the intellectual imagination and diminish the dogmatic assurance which closes the mind against speculation whereby account is rendered significant.

2. I agree with Russel that the values of science are different from those of philosophy.He maintains that philosophy is importantly different than the physical sciences in terms of their respective utility. Whereas the value of the study of the sciences lies primarily in practical applications which benefit everyone, the same cannot be said of philosophy because it only helps oneself especially the learner. He also argues that philosophy does not maintain a substantial body of specialised knowledge in the sense that physical science does.
He further says that any time a definite knowledge concerning any subject becomes possible then this subject ceases to be philosophy and becomes a separate science. Thus, therefore, indicates clearly that science gives vivid and possible answers as compared to philosophy. Also, he states in his speech that the whole study of heavens which now belongs to astronomy was once included in philosophy, Newton’s great work was called the mathematical principles of natural philosophy.
Moreover, the study of the human mind which was part of philosophy has now been separated from philosophy and has become the science of psychology. Science is capable of giving definite answers as compared to a philosophy where no precise answers are found. We can say that from the discussion, that science and philosophy are complementary because in the close attempt they seek to give knowledge and some answers to some uncertain questions.For instance, with the help, if scientific discoveries a philosopher can find answers to some challenging questions. But instead, we can say that the notion of progress makes sense in science as compared to philosophy because as discussed above you find that science gives more satisfying answers about some questions as compared to philosophy. You also find that philosophy only benefits its students only unlike science which is a vast field and generally every person is aware of some scientific inventions.
3. According to Hawking, in his new book, The Grand Design states that philosophy, as practised today, is a waste of time and that philosophers are waste of space. In a particular way, he wrote that philosophy is dead since it has not kept up with the latest developments in science mainly theoretical physics. He conceded that philosophers not only tried to keep up but sometimes made significant scientific contributions of their own.
 He claims that scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in the quest for knowledge. Does he say some questions such as how does the universe behave? What is the nature of reality? Did the world need a creator? Are traditionally questions for philosophy but philosophy itself is dead. He says that scientific discoveries lead us to the new picture of the universe and our place in it. On the contrary, we can’t just stick to Hawking’s claims that philosophy is dead just because it has not kept up with scientific developments, bearing in mind that if we argue that philosophy is dead is like saying that God is dead. Philosophy is not dead and cannot be dead because it’s all about guiding principles of life and each person ought to have their guiding principles about each of their daily life given opportunity.
I think Socrates is the father of philosophy could not agree with Hawking’s that philosophy is dead. For instance, he believes that philosophy is an examination of oneself towards virtue. He thought that philosophy was an improvement of the soul as it reveals our ignorance and therefore essential to living an examined life. He believed that one could easily lead a miserable life if he or she does not question their beliefs and ideas. He holds that knowledge is the most valuable thing in life and that it is important to seek knowledge and be conscious of your ignorance than to claim expertise that you do not have.

Reference.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQGCCbndiW