Question

I have been wondering about the role and goal of philosophy as a discipline and as a practice. Some people might say that philosophy is about finding the truth, or at least getting closer to it. But what if there is no absolute truth, or if it is inaccessible to human reason? What if different philosophical systems are equally valid, or equally flawed, depending on one’s perspective and criteria?

In that case, is the purpose of philosophers to believe in the thing that seems most reasonable to them, based on their own arguments, evidence, intuition, and preferences? Is this a legitimate and respectable way of doing philosophy, or is it a sign of dogmatism, bias, or relativism? How can philosophers justify their beliefs to others who might disagree with them, or who might have different standards of rationality? How can philosophers avoid falling into self-deception, circular reasoning, or wishful thinking?

Answer 1

In philosophy, philosophers must provide reasoning, evidence, and logical consistency to justify their beliefs. They can avoid self-deception by being aware of biases and engaging in critical self-reflection.

Step-by-step explanation:

In philosophy, the purpose of philosophers is to engage in critical thinking and reasoning based on arguments, evidence, intuition, and preferences. However, this does not mean that philosophers can simply believe in what seems most reasonable to them without justification. It is important for philosophers to back up their beliefs with sound reasoning, evidence, and logical consistency.

While philosophers may have different standards of rationality and different beliefs, they can justify their beliefs to others by presenting logical arguments, providing evidence, and engaging in rational discourse and debate. Philosophers aim to persuade others through the strength of their arguments and the evidence they provide.

To avoid self-deception, circular reasoning, and wishful thinking, philosophers need to be aware of their biases and engage in critical self-reflection. They must be willing to challenge their own beliefs, seek out alternative viewpoints, and subject their arguments to rigorous scrutiny. By doing so, they can strive to minimize bias and ensure that their beliefs are based on sound reasoning and evidence.