Why do philosophers ask such dumb philosophical questions?

[Chesterton]

I've got a dumb joke:

A philosopher walks into a bar. The bartender says "Why?"

 

[Gottservant]

Reality is what you dream, when you dream of reality.

 

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

I am particularly interested in the idea that philosophy doesn't merely analyze but synthesizes, if LOVEthroughINTELLECT or anyone else wants to expand on that...

The thinking goes like this: science breaks everything down into its constituent parts--science analyzes. Philosophy, on the other hand, integrates things--philosophy synthesizes.

 

[Gottservant]

Very neat.

I guess that is why I am a philosopher and not a scientist: they are completely tangential to each other.

 

[Received]

I don't know. I can see philosophy, particularly analytic philosophy, as breaking down as well as putting together. Science also does both, given that it analyzes data and puts data points together through theory.

 

[Gottservant]

I don't know. I can see philosophy, particularly analytic philosophy, as breaking down as well as putting together. Science also does both, given that it analyzes data and puts data points together through theory.

Yes but you still call analytic philosophy "philosophy" and when science analyzes data that is basically "philosophy" too

 

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

I discovered this page many years ago. Notice how the following quote from there refers to the synthetic nature of philosophy: "Philosophers appreciate the synthetic approach of geographers, and find their philosophy improved by the concrete, grounded examples of geographic work".

 

[poolerboy0077]

Have you discovered anything scientific?

Because contrary to what you just posted - about me - I have.

Given your thread history and the unlettered "gotcha" questions you've posed I'm surprised you're allowed in any lab, but I'm curious to know: What discoveries have you made and can you give any detail as to how you went about the process?

 

[Gottservant]

Given your thread history and the unlettered "gotcha" questions you've posed I'm surprised you're allowed in any lab, but I'm curious to know: What discoveries have you made and can you give any detail as to how you went about the process?

As if you deserve the respect, saying that, what am I a moron?

Don't cast your pearls before swine.

 

[poolerboy0077]

Thought so.

 

[AFM]

Philosophy:

The Art of talking about nothing of any importance while confusing those around you into believing that you are actually doing something valuable and scientific.

 

[Gottservant]

Thought so.

Keep thinking it.

 

[saffron park]

Good gracious.

Everything has to be examined. Even if it seems like common sense, it still could be wrong.

 

[CabVet]

Just because you don't understand the questions, it doesn't mean that they are dumb.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Philosophy:

The Art of talking about nothing of any importance while confusing those around you into believing that you are actually doing something valuable and scientific.

I recommend that you study philosophy to find out what it really is.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[AnticipateHisComing]

Philosophy:

The Art of talking about nothing of any importance while confusing those around you into believing that you are actually doing something valuable and scientific.

I LIKE IT. What you and Gottservant allude to can be summed up in this Bible verse.

1 Corinthians 1:25a For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom.

Philosophy literally means love wisdom. Read through Wikipedia for a couple minutes and you will see all the different ways man tries to gain wisdom with his mind. Since this is a Christian forum we should understand that God’s wisdom is so much greater than man’s. We should remember the very first temptation was for man to attain knowledge and wisdom like God. Ever since then man has desired to attain this wisdom and knowledge.

Authors have often dreamed of learning so much as to attain a utopian society, but we know that man will never be able to solve the world’s problems to gain utopia. This is the folly of most philosophical endeavors that we might gain understanding and better ourselves.

Ecclesiastes 1 tells of the hopelessness of King Solomon’s, the wisest man to live, attempt at wisdom.
16 I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. 18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.”

Ecclesiastes 9 has this conclusion. “Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”

 

[AnticipateHisComing]

To those looking for wisdom, here are some of my favorite wise sayings from the wisest man to live.

From the book of Proverbs.
1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
2:6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
9:8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
18:2 “Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but delight in airing their own opinions.
As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
19:2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge.
20: 24 A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?
22:3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
23:9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
25: 19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.
26:12 “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
29:2b when the wicked rule, the people groan.

 

[Received]

All you have to do is respond to the OP word for word except use completely opposite positions, appealing to common sense.

Boom, the necessity of philosophy.