The real function of Philosophy.
In The value of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell, Russell explains the value of philosophy and why it should be studied. The general stereotypical view of philosophical thinkers is that one wastes time asking all these unanswerable questions. This rings true, especially to “practical men”. Russell writes “They doubt philosophy is anything better than innocent but useless discussions on matters concerning questions that cannot be answered.” Practical men are described as “ones who recognize only material needs, who realize that men must have food for the body, but are oblivious of the necessity of providing food for the mind.” People do require food for the body, but what is food for the mind? Philosophy is food for the mind and according to Russell, that is the only reason to study it. However only people who recognize that their minds need nourishing in the first place can be persuaded that philosophy is not a waste of time. It is a way to open new doors within one’s mind with as much grace as a SWAT team battering a door down in a drug raid. “Practical men” who don’t ask any questions and who do not ponder daily routines go through life locked down and barricaded inside a besieged fortress kno
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Approximate Word count = 963
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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