What is Philosophy? - First Lecture of the Semester

The script begins with an introduction to the topic of philosophy, emphasizing its importance as the first lecture of a course. The lecturer also addresses parents of students, highlighting the common concern that philosophy might not be a practical major. The word 'philosophy' is etymologically broken down from Greek, meaning 'love of wisdom', but the lecturer suggests this doesn't help in understanding it as an academic discipline. Philosophy is characterized by the pursuit of rigorous answers to fundamental questions such as the existence of God, free will, morality, societal arrangement, and the continuation of consciousness after death. The lecturer differentiates philosophers from other individuals who ponder these questions by their commitment to serious, rigorous inquiry, in contrast to the more casual or revelation-based approaches of others.

The lecturer refutes the common misconception that philosophical questions are subjective, using the example of the existence of God to illustrate that such questions are not a matter of personal taste but rather objective inquiries about reality. The script then delves into the nature of philosophical questions, distinguishing them from empirical questions, which can be answered through observation or experimentation, and from mathematical questions, which are non-empirical but can be resolved through proofs and calculations based on definitions and axioms. Philosophical questions, according to the lecturer, are those that cannot be answered by either of these methods, thus requiring a different approach.

Continuing the exploration of what constitutes a philosophical question, the lecturer argues that such questions are those that remain after empirical and non-empirical (mathematical) questions have been addressed. These are questions that do not fit into the categories of observation, experimentation, or mathematical proof. The script provides the example of determining the fair arrangement of society, which is a normative question about how things ought to be, rather than how they are, and thus falls into the realm of philosophy. The lecturer emphasizes that answering philosophical questions requires arguments and rational thought, rather than empirical evidence or mathematical formulas.

The script addresses potential objections to the study of philosophy, such as the notion that without empirical evidence or mathematical proof, 'anything goes' in philosophy, suggesting that any answer is as good as another. The lecturer counters this by asserting that some arguments are indeed better than others, and that the quality of reasoning can be evaluated. Another objection is that philosophy is not productive, to which the lecturer responds by pointing out that philosophy produces clear, rational arguments and well-supported answers to profound questions. The script highlights the importance of such questions, such as the potential immortality of the mind after death, and argues that the pursuit of answers to these questions is inherently valuable.

The lecturer discusses the implications of defining philosophy as it has been presented, noting that the answers to philosophical questions tend to be controversial due to the lack of empirical or mathematical certainty. This controversy is seen as a validation of the definition itself, as it predicts its own contentious nature. The script then acknowledges the difficulty of philosophy, given that it relies on ordinary tools like words and clear thinking to address complex questions. However, this difficulty is also seen as beneficial, as it hones the philosopher's ability to use these tools effectively, which can translate to success in other areas of life, such as standardized tests.

The script concludes by presenting data on the performance of philosophy majors on standardized tests like the GMAT, LSAT, and GRE, showing that they outperform many other disciplines. It also addresses the potential earning power of philosophy graduates, suggesting that they can be financially successful. The lecturer then poses the question of whether these practical benefits should be the basis for choosing a major, framing it as a philosophical question in itself. The script emphasizes that the value of philosophy extends beyond material success, as it equips individuals with the ability to think critically and argue effectively, which are valuable skills in various aspects of life.