On the Value of Philosophy Essay

â€Å"On the Value of Philosophy† by Bertrand Russell discusses the implications of philosophy and philosophical thinking. Special attention is paid to problems and core values of philosophy. The author argues that philosophy should be studied not to find answers for questions of particular interest, but for the sake of the questions themselves. It is noted that philosophy helps to distinguish truth, to enrich intellectual imagination, to enlarge understanding of the world order and to diminish dogmatic assurances. According to the author, human mind should be open for critical thinking and speculation because the power of the mind is strong enough to change the thinking of the globe. Russell states the philosophy aims at providing knowledge â€Å"which gives unity and system to the body of the sciences, and which results from a critical examination of the grounds of our convictions, prejudices, and beliefs†. (Russell, 14) Nevertheless, philosophy hasn’t succeeded in providing definite answers to questions of particular interest. Philosophy is interested mainly in issues which are hardly explanatory. If a questioned is fully answered, then it is separated from philosophy. For example, firstly human mind was a part of philosophy, though later it became a science of psychology. Therefore, philosophy is interested in uncertainty rather than reality. The value of philosophy is in uncertainty. The value of philosophy is that it makes people free in their thinking and attitudes towards the word order. Inability to comprehend philosophy makes all objects definite and common. The greatest value is that philosophy makes all objects great and worthy of attention. Philosophical life is full of something confined and feverish. Russell argues that â€Å"many philosophers have held that philosophy could establish the truth of certain answers to fundamental questions†. (Russell, 16) Thus, philosophy aims at enlarging not only human thoughts towards objections, but also about affections and actions.