The Purpose of the Philosopher

Philosophy has no singular intent. It serves to challenge, to enlighten, to develop, and even to entertain. For Plato and Lucretius, philosophy was each of these things; Plato challenged public opinion through the Socratic dialogue, while Lucretius' philosophy was built on the back of Epicureanism. Literally meaning "love of wisdom," philosophy can be loosely described as the examination of knowledge. As such, the definition of philosophy remains abstract, and the word "philosophy" has come to encompass a wide range of subjects.

The initial function of philosophy is to separate the rational from the irrational. Logic and reason are paramount when approaching any question and must be present throughout if an argument is to remain compelling. The Socratic method, for instance, is designed to find flaws and fallacies in such arguments; the constant challenging of others' assertions allows us to see their ideas laid bare, as the implications of their arguments are tested to the verge of collapse. The Socratic dialogue typifies much of Plato's work, and its question and answer style lends itself to a relatively natural progression of thought and conversation. This style of discourse is common in today's society, present in everything from the classroom to the courtroom (and many others rooms in between), demonstrating how essential the Socratic method has remained in our modern society.

Philosophers also serve to elucidate their knowledge and the knowledge of others. Through the act of sharing and proliferating their views, philosophers contribute to a wider understanding of the world and our role within it. They may do this by developing and arguing for their own worldview, by expanding upon or challenging the philosophy of others, or by simply propagating the beliefs they ascribe to. Lucretius, for instance, did not develop his ideas on atomism; Epicurus is responsible for much of the theory. Through his poetry, however, Lucretius succeeded in further popularizing the concepts, exposing them to a more diverse audience and, in turn, to the greater scrutiny of society-a scrutiny that is key to the core of philosophical inquiry. By taking Epicurean philosophy and translating it into poetry, he pulled a 1^st century BC version of the novel-turned-movie.

Similarly, philosophers can serve a normative purpose when reaching out to the public. "How it is" will always remain a central question, but exploring "how it should be" can result (and has resulted in) monumental changes to culture and society. It would be near impossible to count the number of philosophers whose views were determined to be "radical" in one way or another; from John Stuart Mill to Socrates, Bertrand Russell to Jean-Paul Sartre, philosophers seem reticent to back down from conclusions that affect the realm of politics (or lead to your ultimately drinking hemlock-and dying. I'm looking at you, the stubborn Socrates).

Regardless of popular opinion at the time, many philosophers have nevertheless had a tremendous impact upon the development of society. They have accomplished this through a multitude of means, whether it be the direct admiration of powerful political leaders or the eventual acceptable of a particular, originally controversial, idea of theirs. From Lucretius' argument against Greek superstition to Plato's criticism of the Athenian democracy from his time, "political correctness" is often not of major concern for the philosopher, and it is often the case that the public at large shifts their views, albeit sometimes centuries later. In other words, as Bertrand Russell succinctly explains, "do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric."

By instituting a rigorous line of reasoning and challenging prevailing opinion with convincing, powerful argumentation, philosophers can serve the purpose of catalyst toward a more just and equitable society. On the other hand, they may also advocate ideas that are later regarded as completely wrong-headed, even malevolent; Plato supported the idea of a natural slavery and believed that a country governed by "philosopher-kings" was far superior to one ruled by democracy. It is important to keep historical context in mind when considering these views, but much of the Western world has since left them behind.

Lastly, philosophers and philosophy in general provide an outlet for personal growth and benefit. Keeping up with a diversity of viewpoints, sorting through opinions, making sense of multiple arguments and making a decision for yourself-each of these promote a sharp mind and an informed worldview. Philosophy requires an approach that takes all sides into consideration, which necessitates the ability to empathize, a quality too often lacking in some. Philosophers can also provide guidance: if you know what you believe and why you believe it, you are more likely to stand up for what you deem just, more likely to possess a clear worldview (that can also aid in providing a sense of self), more likely to identify fallacious reasoning, pseudoscience, contradiction and sophistry. Likewise, you may be less likely to fall into some of the traps we all experience in our lives: manipulation by others, a herd mentality, or an inability or unwillingness to question dogma.

Philosophers serve an important purpose for a multitude of reasons. Much like science, it's not simply what is said-it's the process they undertake in order to say it. By encouraging a thoughtful, rational debate, philosophy promotes some of the "better angels" within our human nature.

Of course, what philosophers say matters immensely. In challenging society, in challenging the views of others, in challenging "common sense" or the statements of those in power, there are two crucial outcomes: either beliefs come out strengthened from the process, or they are invalidated for good reason. In carrying out this purpose for millennia, we are indebted to philosophers of all stripes, be they great orators, writers, or politicians. In the "free market" of ideas, a little competition goes a long way, and philosophers have continually provided attempts at making sense of the world (and making the world sensible) around us.