The Value of Philosophy

“It is owing to wonder that men both now begin and at the first began to philosophize.”

– Aristotle

What is Philosophy? Philosophers actually debate on how to define philosophy, and how it should be practiced, but on the most literal level, the word philosophy means ‘love of wisdom’ (Philo= love, Sophia = wisdom). So, philosophy can be thought of as the quest for truth, knowledge, and wisdom. J.P. Moreland defines it in a practical sense as, “thinking critically about questions that matter.” But does philosophy itself even matter?

Up until present times, the Christian view of philosophy has not always been a favorable one. Colossians 2:8 is often cited to support this negative view of philosophy. Paul writes, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” A quick reading of this verse sounds like Paul is chiding philosophy and discouraging its use, but is this really what Paul is saying?

A closer look at this verse and its context reveals that Paul is not warning us against philosophy itself, but against philosophy and beliefs rooted in mere human wisdom. In the context of Colossians 2:8, Paul is specifically addressing Jewish mystical practices and pagan beliefs as is evident from reading 2:16-23. There is a distinction between the dependence on truth gained only by limited human reason, and the Truth represented in the person of Christ.

It should also be noted that Paul was very familiar with philosophy and employed its themes and terminology regularly in order to both explain and defend the Christian faith. Acts 17:16-34 is an account of Paul’s ability to demonstrate his knowledge of philosophy and reach the Stoic philosophers on Mars Hill. This is a perfect example of knowing the philosophy of men, and teaching the philosophy of Christ.

In fact, everyone does philosophy whether they know it or not. You may have asked or have been asked the following questions:

• Does God exist?

• What is real?

• What is truth?

• Is there an absolute and universal morality?

• What is the value, meaning, or purpose of human existence?

• What is the relationship between the mind and body?

Most people agree that such questions are not only important and deserve good answers, but they are also foundational. On an individual’s level, philosophy determines what one believes, how one thinks, and how one lives. The above questions are just a few examples of what can define how one understands life and their relationship with people and with God. Therefore, the study of philosophy, or at least thinking philosophically, is not only beneficial, but crucial.

Furthermore, society is built upon ideas, and these ideas, good or bad, are philosophical in nature and help shape society. Ideas such as prejudice, war, racism, skepticism, ethics, morality, aesthetics, politics, religion, history, science, law, education, and God are all influenced by philosophical ideas. Knowing and studying philosophy can help us to think critically, and to see what is involved in the ideas that are foundational to our society and culture.

Although philosophy is a tool for understanding, it is neither infallible nor dogmatic, so as Christians, the challenge is to pursue philosophy properly, within the correct framework always placing truth at the forefront and making sure it is rooted in, governed by, and directed toward Christ. Studying philosophy and the questions it asks is only one example of loving God with all our minds as we are commanded to do.

What other philosophers have said about philosophy:

“I have long been of the opinion that philosophy is everybody’s business—but not in order to get more information about the world, our society, and ourselves. For that purpose, it would be better to turn to the natural and the social sciences and to history. It is in another way that philosophy is useful—to help us to understand things we already know, understand them better than we now understand them. That is why I think everyone should learn how to think philosophically.”

- Mortimer Adler, Aristotle for Everybody

“Theoretical philosophy is an analytical and reflective refinement of what we know by common sense in the light of common experience. Our common-sense knowledge is deepened, illuminated, and elaborated by philosophical thought. There is little if any sound philosophy that conflicts with our common-sense knowledge, for both are based on the common human experience out of which they emerge. That is why I have reiterated again and again that philosophy, unlike the investigative sciences, historical research, or mathematics, is everybody’s business. All the latter are fields that tend toward greater and greater specialization and become the province of a wide variety of specialist experts. Philosophy alone, because of its intimate connection with the common-sense knowledge of the ordinary individual, remains unspecialized – the province of the generalist, the business of everybody.”

- Mortimer Adler, Ten Philosophical Mistakes

“The choice before us, then, is not between accepting or rejecting philosophy, since each of us – whether he knows it or not – already has one, but between holding it consciously or unconsciously. Unless we free our minds by becoming critically conscious of what we hold unconsciously or uncritically, we are liable to become victims of our own unconsciously held philosophy or of the philosophy of others, which may rule us all the more tyrannically because it is hidden and operates in the dark. What we hold implicitly, vaguely, confusedly, must be rendered explicit, definite, and clear in the light of reason and the evidence of things. For in the words of Socrates, one of the greatest of all philosophers, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

- Daniel Sullivan, An Introduction to Philosophy

“Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.”

- C.S. Lewis, Weight of Glory