What Do Philosophers Do? | Timothy Williamson

Summary

This script delves into the nature of philosophical inquiry, highlighting the propensity of children to ask 'why' questions, which can lead to profound philosophical discussions. It emphasizes the pursuit of understanding through abstract questioning, such as 'What is knowledge?' or 'What is justice?', and the importance of seeking answers to these questions. Philosophy is portrayed as a discipline that not only asks difficult questions but also strives to find methods to address and test potential answers.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Philosophers are known for asking questions, especially 'why' questions, similar to children in their inquisitive phase.
• 👶 Children often ask 'why' questions that can lead to philosophical discussions if parents attempt to provide thorough answers.
• 🔍 When parents try to answer children's 'why' questions, they are often led to provide more abstract explanations, which can be philosophical in nature.
• 🧐 Philosophers also ask 'what is' questions, such as 'what is knowledge?' or 'what is justice?', which are abstract and general.
• 🚫 Not all 'what is' questions are philosophical; some are better suited for other disciplines, like 'what is electricity?' for a physicist.
• 💡 Philosophy involves not just asking questions but also seeking methods to answer them, especially when the questions seem difficult to tackle initially.
• 🤷‍♂️ Many philosophical questions, like 'what is knowledge?', can initially leave people without any idea of how to approach an answer.
• 🔑 A significant part of philosophy is about gaining a grip on such questions, understanding potential answers, and devising ways to test those answers.
• 📚 The script suggests that philosophical inquiry has been ongoing for over 2,000 years, indicating its long-standing importance in human thought.
• 🌐 The process of answering philosophical questions often involves moving from specific instances to more general and abstract concepts.

Q & A

What role do questions play in philosophy?

Questions are fundamental to philosophy, often starting with 'why' or 'what is' inquiries that delve into the nature of things, concepts, and abstract ideas.

How does the script relate the questioning phase of children to philosophy?

The script suggests that children's persistent 'why' questions can lead to philosophical discussions, especially when parents attempt to provide deeper, more abstract explanations.

Why do some people continue asking 'why' questions into adulthood?

Some individuals, referred to as philosophers, continue asking 'why' questions as a way to explore deeper meanings and understanding beyond the surface level of everyday life.

What is the significance of 'what is' questions in philosophy?

Questions starting with 'what is' are significant in philosophy as they aim to define and understand the essence of abstract concepts such as knowledge, justice, and time.

How do parents' attempts to answer children's questions lead to philosophical directions?

When parents provide explanations and are then asked 'why' about those explanations, they are driven towards more abstract thinking, which is characteristic of philosophical inquiry.

What is the difference between a philosophical question and a scientific one?

Philosophical questions tend to be abstract and general, such as 'what is justice?', whereas scientific questions, like 'what is electricity?', seek specific, empirical explanations.

Why is it important for philosophers to attempt answering their questions?

Attempting to answer philosophical questions is crucial as it helps philosophers explore potential answers, develop methods of testing those answers, and gain a deeper understanding of complex issues.

What challenges do philosophers face when trying to answer their questions?

Philosophers often face the challenge of finding a good answer, understanding what constitutes a valid answer, and developing methods to test and validate their answers.

How does the script describe the process of finding answers in philosophy?

The script describes it as a process of gaining a grip on the questions, exploring potential answers, and then thinking of ways to test and validate those answers.

What is the role of abstraction in philosophical discussions?

Abstraction plays a key role in philosophical discussions, allowing for the exploration of general and universal concepts that go beyond specific instances or empirical data.

Why might a question about electricity be more suited for a physicist than a philosopher?

A question about electricity is more suited for a physicist because it requires specific, empirical knowledge and understanding of physical phenomena, which is the domain of physics rather than philosophy.