The Problems of Philosophy

For my final formal review, let's take a look at The Problems of Philosophy, published in 1912 by Bertrand Russell. It attempts to briefly introduce and guide as to what this body of knowledge is primarily about.

Rather than concentrating on metaphysics, the philosopher focuses on what is defined or meant by knowledge, and the different ways they are perceived or formed. Such as the nature of idea, things, and truths, but also universals, the mind, matter, and more.

Explaining the difference between knowledge by acquaintance(I know that gold can melt) and knowledge by description(I know that there is an Emperor of China), Russell briefly further references previous great philosophers such as Kant and Hegel to bring up the general argument that the same great questions have been asked too often, with failed unclear results.

Fallacies, falsehoods, the biological way of memories having several layers of self-evidence, empirical experiences, demonstrably methods, rational thoughts, questionable existences, objective morality and more give cause for philosophy to act with doubt and inquiry.

Bertrand also writes that philosophy can be used as critical examination towards the body of sciences, of the grounds of convictions, prejudices and beliefs, to ascertain what is to be determined as the truth or truths.

Finally, he argues about the value of philosophy, and why it should be studied and stay relevant;

Philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of any definite answers to its questions, since no definite answers can, as a rule, be known to be true, but rather for the sake of the questions themselves; because these questions enlarge our conception of what is possible, enrich our intellectual imagination and diminish the dogmatic assurance which closes the mind against speculation; but above all because, through the greatness of the universe which philosophy contemplates, the mind also is rendered great, and becomes capable of that union with the universe which constitutes its highest good.

The Problems of Philosophy is a thought provoking book about epistemology and skepticism, that can still be used today in the modern current world and timeline, and it encourages to think deeper about not only major topics, but common sense too.

Rating: ***