The Relevance of Philosophy

Is philosophy still useful? Philosophy is a discipline that is often times overlooked as useless and not time worthy of our time. Could the truth actually be the opposite of the commonly held belief? Philosophy is useful and relevant because it can help one to understand oneself through critical thinking and learning to not only question, but also question that, which one assumes to be fact.

In a constantly changing world, unanswered questions often arise. It can be argued that philosophy can offer answers to many of these queries. Why do I feel the need to belong in community? Why do I not feel fulfilled and content being alone? These questions are examples that have risen in my mind. Based on the work of Emmanuel Levinas, it can be determined that the reason is that human beings do not exist solely for themselves, but for The Other (Levinas, 79). Understanding this concept that Levinas proposed can succor to grasp the necessity for belonging. Typically, in society, when questions such as these surface, the inquirer is hushed and soothed, without ever being given plausible answers to their inquiries. Philosophy can break the taciturn response and force the seeker to question why he or she wants an answer from society instead of finding the answer within him or herself. It can hone one’s critical thinking skills and allow for a deeper inspection and understanding of the pedigrees of these desires.

In addition, philosophy creates suspicion within those who choose to participate in this deeper level of thinking. In modern society, many aspects of life are accepted without question, simply because of what we are taught. For example, in science, gravity is taught as fact, while in reality it is actually just a theory - specificall...

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...al tendencies can assist one to understand the reactions we experience when we face the instances of betrayal and being lied to. Logic is a tool that aids the suspicion that is cultivated through the use of philosophy.

Therefore, philosophy is still relevant today because it can improve the understanding one has of oneself. The use of philosophy in one’s life questions the world and sees it in a new light that allows for one’s perspective on life to expand.

Works Cited

Lévinas, Emmanuel. Time And The Other And Additional Essays/Emmanuel Levinas; Translation By Richard A Cohen. n.p.: Pittsburg, PA: Duquesne University Press, 1987. Print.

Lindenfeld, Peter, and Suzanne White Brahmia. Physics: The First Science/Peter Lindenfel And Suzanne White Brahmia. n.p.: New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 2011., 2011. Roux Library Catalog. Web. 8 December 2013.