The Problems of Philosophy

“Philosophy is merely the attempt to answer such ultimate questions, not carelessly and dogmatically, as we do in ordinary life and even in the sciences but critically, after exploring all that makes such questions puzzling, and after realizing all the vagueness and confusion that underlie our ordinary ideas.”

This quotation bookends the work and Russell’s theory about The Value of Philosophy. Russell argues that it is a mistake for philosophers to focus on finding concrete answers to questions. Instead, the function and worth of philosophy is in its ability to ask unanswerable questions and to challenge concepts through critical analysis. This quotation mirrors the last page of the work where Russell establishes the importance of accepting the limitations of human knowledge while embracing the unending pursuit of truth.

“Philosophy, if it cannot answer so many questions as we could wish, has at least the power of asking questions which increase the interest of the world, and show the strangeness and wonder lying just below the surface even in the commonest things of daily life.”

Russell considers how a philosopher views the world compared to the average person. He suggests that most people do not concern themselves with philosophical questions, such as the nature of reality or the meaning of existence, which occupy the thoughts and time of philosophers. For many, these concerns are trivial and rarely impact everyday life. However, he asserts that The Value of Philosophy is not found in its utility. Instead, it has worth because it reveals the complexity of everyday life and seeks knowledge. Russell proposes that this pursuit is the greatest good.