Is philosophy nitpicking?

[Philosophy Explorer]

Worthless or worthwhile? Discuss

PhilX

[marjoram_blues]

'Discuss' - is this to be a conversation, a debate, an essay...or 'all/none of the above'?

[thedoc]

Worthless or worthwhile? Discuss

PhilX

Yes, it is. Now if you want some discussion, state a position or opinion.

[Philosophy Explorer]

Marjoram, all of the above as long as it applies to the topic at hand.

Doc, I see philosophy as being worthwhile (primary example, government). But there are times where I see it as nitpicking (e.g. trivial arguments).

PhilX

[marjoram_blues]

PhilX - I only have time for a few words. Whole threads have been given over to discuss such.

If philosophy 'nitpicks' it might be in the sense of clarifying meaning. Then, that is fine. It is always worthwhile to clear out some mental cobwebs. Defining terms is important to prevent cross-talk and misunderstandings. Sometimes meaning is deliberately distorted by use of equivocation. http://www.fallacyfiles.org/equivoqu.html

'Worthless or worthwhile' - that depends on the type of philosophy undertaken and what you find valuable in it or want to get out of it. Could be that there is a little bit of worthwhile hiding under the seemingly worthless...

[Philosophy Explorer]

PhilX - I only have time for a few words. Whole threads have been given over to discuss such.

If philosophy 'nitpicks' it might be in the sense of clarifying meaning. Then, that is fine. It is always worthwhile to clear out some mental cobwebs. Defining terms is important to prevent cross-talk and misunderstandings. Sometimes meaning is deliberately distorted by use of equivocation. http://www.fallacyfiles.org/equivoqu.html

'Worthless or worthwhile' - that depends on the type of philosophy undertaken and what you find valuable in it or want to get out of it. Could be that there is a little bit of worthwhile hiding under the seemingly worthless...

I avoid defining terms because that tends to limit discussion. I prefer to let the context define the meaning of a word or phrase (so far I haven't ran into problems in this area).

Anything worthless, as you indicated, can lead to something worthwhile (I did worthless selling for a few years until my eyes opened up wide). Do not be afraid to make mistakes because then we may learn the truth.

PhilX

[bergie15]

No, I do not think philosophy is nitpicking. It is just a way to understand what is going on around us. Maybe some think that it is, but I don't think that it is.

[GreatandWiseTrixie]

How can one even say "nitpicking"? There is nothing of substance to even pick at?

[Blaggard]

Well yeah what's wrong with nit picking anyway? Philosophy is that surely or it is nothing...

[Bill Wiltrack]

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Hi, I'm Blaggard...the things people say that are complete bullshit.







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