Chapter 12: Conclusions

In this last module we are to examine the nature of Philosophy itself.  This topic "What is Philosophy?" is one of the Issues in Philosophy.  It is one of the perennial questions.  Philosophy is the only discipline of thought in which to ask "What is Philosophy?" remains a questions within the discipline.  For example if you were to ask, "What is Biology?" the attempt to answer that question is not an activity that is part of biology itself.  the answering of the question "What is Biology?" does not involve the study of life.  Likewise, asking and answering the questions: "What is Poetry?" or "What is geometry?" are not activities that are themselves either poetry or geometry.  Only Philosophy has an examination of its own nature as part of its own discipline. 

In the next  and last section I shall offer my views of the topic of Philosophy.  I shall present and explicate the following notion of what Philosophy is and something of its value. 

Philosophy is the most critical and comprehensive manner of thinking devised by human beings.

Before going to my own concluding thoughts on the nature and future of Philosophy you might want to listen to some mildly amusing comments on and about Philosophy by the actor and comedian, John Cleese.  They were offered in the first chapter and hearing them now or again now they may have a different meaning and value for you.

They are available at:   https://www.apaonline.org/page/Cleese/John-Cleese-Talking-About-Life-and-Philosophy.htm

topics include:

01 Survey
02 Scientific Life
03 In The Present
04 Information
05 The Meaning Of Life
06 Future Obligation
07 Somewhere Else
08 Tabloid
09 Starting Point
10 Worldly Good
11 Things That Matter
12 Fun
13 Quality Of Life
14 What To Fear
15 Dream
16 Kids Today
17 Decision
18 Silenced
19 Century
20 Neighbor Policy
21 To Die For
22 Reachable Stars