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The British philosopher Bertrand Russel was one of the most ardent advocates for philosophical knowledge. According to Russel, individuals who immerse themselves into practical affairs or scientific matters often brush off philosophy as a field that relies largely on useless trifling, hair-splitting distinctions, and controversies (Russel, p. 298). In Problems of Philosophy, Russel compares philosophy to physical science. He opines that the value of the latter is typically inarguable because even those who know little to nothing about physics still benefit largely from the discoveries and advancements in this field. On the contrary, the impact of philosophy is more subtle: Russel writes that its tangible influence is only found in those who study it purposefully and intentionally. Since only a fraction of people are ready to delve into philosophical knowledge, others remain ignorant of its value.
Russel reasons that people need food to fuel their minds as much as they need food to fuel their bodies. In Problems of Philosophy, he goes as far as to say that philosophical inquiry steers scientific search for truth since philosophy aims at knowledge, and it asks questions relentlessly (Russell, p. 289). Many scientific fields and subfields once existed in the realm of philosophy. For example, Newtons most fundamental work was titled the mathematical principles of natural philosophy. Similarly, the study of the human mind commenced in the philosophical domain and only later matured into psychology and psychiatry. What made these newly emerged fields depart from philosophy is the definite answers and conclusions that people were eventually able to achieve. At that, the role of philosophy was giving scientific inquiry integrity, unity, and systems because what preceded actual empirical research was a critical examination of the existing prejudices, beliefs, and paradigms.
However, the impact of philosophy is not confined to science: as Russel explains, philosophical knowledge may guide personal development. He claims that the uncertainty that philosophy is largely about is not its pitfall but its advantage. The uncertainty of knowledge gives individuals space to pose critical questions about their own existence and the world around them. According to Russel, a person who never embarks on philosophical reflection lives their life imprisoned (Russel, p. 289). He or she relies on prejudice, habitual beliefs, and common sense. What is more, the unexamined life sentences such a person to the tyranny of custom : he or she is forced to comply with what is believed to be true in their religion, nation, or country (Russel, p. 289).
Doubt, on the other hand, liberates a person, even though at first, the uncertainty that it brings about may be truly terrifying. However, doubt has the potential of allowing a person to open a new chapter in their life and depart from the notion that the world is obvious, finite, and predictable. If a person dares to question everything, they expand their conception of what is possible. They develop their intellectual imagination, making it richer, broader, and more rigorous. Lastly, they fight the dogmatic assurance that prevents their mind from critical examination.
Though active three centuries before Russel, French philosopher Rene Descartes shares with him some ideas regarding the value of philosophy. Descartes works reveal consistent attempts to conceive philosophys goal. Probably, one of the most revealing passages in his first rule of the unfinished Rules for the Direction of the Mind. In this work, Descartes states that the aim of philosophy should be in directing the mind in a way that would allow it to arrive at truthful conclusions and make sound judgments. Therefore, the value of philosophy lies in its capacity to change individuals and improve their rational virtues. Philosophical knowledge grants individuals access to what Descartes was referring to as good sense (le bons sens) and universal wisdom (Descartes, p. 301). In this rationale, one may see some overlaps with Russels reasoning. Both philosophers acknowledge the transformative power of philosophy and its ability to incentivize and stimulate personal growth.
Interestingly enough, Russel and Descartes agree that philosophy should not be a means to an end: it is an end on its own. By making this argument, Russel and Descartes unveil the false perception that philosophy can be applied to provide definite answers. Russel writes that philosophy cannot be studied for this purpose: instead, it is valuable for the questions themselves. Descartes concurs, stating that making philosophy serve other ends might distract a person from the actual course of an inquiry.
What differs Descartes views from those of Russel is the fact that the former introduces the concept of happiness to the discourse. In Problems of Philosophy, Russel does not pay as much attention to whether philosophy can make a person happy. Instead, the focal point of his attention is freedom through the enlargement of Self beyond the boundaries of what is commonly held is true. Descartes, on the other hand, insists that among other things, the value of philosophy lies in its ability to help people make life decisions. In this sense, according to Descartes, philosophy can contribute to the comfort of life like any other science. Moreover, the French philosopher is convinced that the contemplation of truth might as well be the only real pleasure available to humans. It is the only happiness that is complete and untroubled by pain (Descartes, p. 304).
Reading the Problems of Philosophy, the reader might get the impression that uncertainty that comes with philosophic inquiry is likely to make a person restless. On the contrary, Descartes states that, in actuality, philosophy can give a person peace of mind through mental contentment. Philosophy offers a person tools for putting their mind in order, which grants them tranquility. According to Descartes, philosophy can even be seen as therapeutic as it cures mental illnesses. Among other benefits is philosophys ability to help a person to concentrate on here and now. Descartes had a distaste for the Christian glorification of life after death. Instead, the philosopher wanted to show that happiness is achievable during a persons life: he wrote that one of the secrets is to to love life without fearing death (Descartes, p. 308). In this statement, akin to ancient Stoics, who largely inspired his philosophy, Descartes insisted that philosophy empowers a person to resist adversity and remain mentally stable.
Three centuries apart, the British philosopher Russel and the French philosopher Descartes were working on their own argument for the value of philosophy. Both great thinkers agree that philosophy is valuable not because it provides answers, but because it asks questions. Russel claims that philosophical inquiry guides scientific research and enlarges humankinds scope of perception. Both Russel and Descartes acknowledge philosophys capacity to transform people and befree their minds from the boundaries of prejudice and tradition. Unlike Russel, Descartes sees studying philosophy as one of the keys to happiness. To him, philosophical knowledge is associated with better mental resilience and the ability to recover from lifes tragedies.
Works Cited
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Descartes, René. Rules for the Direction of the Mind. Bobbs-Merrill, 1964.
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Russell, Bertrand. The Problems of Philosophy. OUP Oxford, 2001.
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