Single Idea 19066

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / a. Philosophy as worldly]

Full Idea

Philosophy is an attempt to understand the world, as it is revealed to us both in our ordinary experience and by the discoveries and theories of science.

Gist of Idea

Philosophy aims to understand the world, through ordinary experience and science

Source

Michael Dummett (The Justification of Deduction [1973], p.311)

Book Reference

Dummett,Michael: 'Truth and Other Enigmas' [Duckworth 1978], p.311


A Reaction

I don't see a sharp division between 'ordinary' and 'scientific'. I really like this idea, first because it makes 'understanding' central, and second because it wants both revelations. In discussing matter and time, there is too much emphasis on science.

Related Idea

Idea 12038 Translate as 'humans all desire by nature to understand' (not as 'to know') [Aristotle, by Annas]