Bertrand Russell's Philosophical Views - Paper Example

What Does Russell Contend Is the Value of Philosophy?

The value of philosophy, according to Russell, is its ability to show unsuspected possibilities. Philosophy has value by virtue, of the items covered and contemplated, and its ability to be contrasted from personal goals. Russell notes that Philosophy is a broad topic by itself and cannot be understood of not sought largely. Therefore, its value can be noted by its followers. It can only be realized by those who study the discipline hence, can affect others through their knowledge. He further notes that the value of philosophy does not depend on the knowledge received during studies. However, it is only studied for the intent of getting solutions to certain philosophic problems. Its value is achieved from the answers sought as they would be enlarging the conception of whatever is possible, as well as enrich an individual's intellectual imagination. He notes that "through the greatness of the universe which philosophy contemplates, the mind also is rendered great" (Carroll, 2014). The value of philosophy, therefore, goes beyond the goods of the mind, including food for the body, and can be realized by those who understand the needs of the goods. The attitude brought about by philosophy realizes the need for food for the mind instead of material needs as the 'practical man' thinks. Its utility can, therefore, be contrasted with the disciplines of physical sciences.

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Is He Correct in His Assertion?

Russell is correct in his assertion since it is natural to be inquisitive. For instance, children find themselves asking questions to seek answers, and it is through the answers that the value of philosophy can be perceived. It is also pleasurable to philosophize. Many people tend to ask questions and think of possibilities. And just as Russell notes, knowledge can be found in philosophy. The value of knowledge can be realized as soon as material rewards are integrated. All components of the value of philosophy enrich the human mind hence, his life. Additionally, wealth cannot be used to measure the value of philosophy as it would be impossible to have the life of the mind if food is not sought from philosophical queries. However, the basic truths regarding life can be sought by asking questions to seek ideas relating to philosophic perceptions.

Do Russell’s Views Reflect the Views of Other Philosophers, Especially Socrates and Plato?

There are similar views with other philosophers regarding the value of philosophy. For instance, Socrates notes that it is not worth having to live an unexamined life. Plato also notes that the ability to be inquisitive is 'the dear delight.' According to Plato, every individual should mind their own business. He continues to note that one should be having their private property, even though their use should be common. Plato presents the tyranny of customs; hence, the 'practical man' can be viewed as wicked as their mind are always engaged in doubts regarding religion and politics. However he, as well argues that preserving the tyranny would require one to be moderate.

Specifically, How Does Russell’s ‘Practical Man’ Compare to the Prisoners in Plato’s Cave?

The 'practical man' only attends to food for the body and the material goods he would need. He only realizes the value of philosophy as the result of trifling. The freed prisoner in the allegory of the cave of Plato thought differently about the surrounding world. He used to think of making life more complicated than simple as simplicity roots simple things. He notes that "the man who has no tincture of philosophy goes through life imprisoned in the prejudices derived from common sense, from the habitual beliefs of his age or his nation, and from convictions which have grown up in his mind without the co-operation or consent of his deliberate reason" (Carroll, 2014). The prisoner thinks differently from the practical man as he sees the most ordinary things in an unfamiliar perspective. With his thinking, there are numerous possibilities as compared to the possibilities of the 'practical man.' The 'practical man' always thinks with his mind tied in a tyranny of customs whereas the prisoner thought with his mind freed from the same in that he gained knowledge of the confidence of great things. For the life of a common man to be great in one way or another, they must escape from the 'prison' of individual thinking to avoid distortion of the items that alter the cognitive aspects.

How Do Russell’s Ideas Compare to Socrates’ Argument That the Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living?

Socrates' argument presents the fact that acknowledging fallibility is one of the greatest steps in realizing wisdom. He notes that individual doubts are the barriers to examining the lives and beliefs of the self rationally. The arguments made by Socrates in the Republic show that seeking the truth would require orientation of the whole soul towards the better. He also tries to identify the goods involved with the soul. Socrates noted more about the virtue ethics, which are a representation of the characters, and as well, in line with the goods of the mind. In a similar perspective, Russell notes that philosophy advocates a way of life when it plays a part in the non-specialists of the discipline. Even though Socrates does not find any religious aims in the arguments by Russell, Russell notes that there are appeals to a tradition and notes differences in philosophical and religious points of view. Therefore, his statement presents an issue with the wrong in doubting of how one can choose to live, as well as their wisdom.

Works Cited

Carroll, R. T. (2014, July 10). Chapter XV: The Value Of Philosophy. Retrieved from skepdic.com/russell.html