Summary of Russell - pp. 33-36

Summary of the main points of Bertrand Russell's article on the meaning of Philosophy and why it should be studied - and a couple of my thoughts :).
pp. 33-36.


-There is a practical reason because it expands the mind and causes us to question what we normally would not questions.


-The question is more important than the answer.


-the "aim" of philosophy is knowledge.


-Philosophy is important for unity in Science and questioning self (or what we think we know).  Russell says philosophy helps us "step outside" of something and ask what it is.  When you ask "what is physics"  you are actually outside of physics looking in.  To gain knowledge we must be impartial, and philosophy helps in this process.


-Philosophy needs to be able to "adapt" to some degree, but to say everyone is always right all the time is a copout.


-Considering those who never study philosophy, they may lose out on an opportunity to practice "enlargement of the self", which eventually leads to more open-mindedness.


-A quote by G.E. Moore:  Ethics does not equal Ethical Living.  We study philosophy for the sake of it.  Russell talks about "the union of the self and not-self".  My interpretation of that is the quote:
"Ya don't know what Ya don't know"  Jay Robinson, Head Wrestling Coach U of  Minnesota


-Russell says to "go outward" and expand yourself.  Buddhists would say "go inward" and expand yourself.