Philosophy is useless? ⸻ Are you kidding?

Philosophy is useless. Many people think so. There are so many people who think this that I wonder if there is anyone who doesn't.

Actually, I was one of them. Until very recently. Did I wake up to philosophy recently?

Half right. Half wrong.

I've started thinking a little bit about philosophy and philosophers. But I haven't 'woken up' to it. I've just started thinking about it.

So, once again.

Is philosophy useless?

Even without knowledge of science,
that we benefit from the fruits of science,
is something everyone would probably admit.

Even without knowledge of numbers,
that we benefit from the fruits of numbers,
is something everyone would probably admit.

Even without knowledge of medicine,
that we benefit from the fruits of medicine,
is something everyone would probably admit.

Yes. Let's look at a list of university departments.
Among them, only 'philosophy'
looks like it is conspicuously far from practical use.

Even without knowledge of philosophy,
that we benefit from the fruits of philosophy,
is something everyone probably... doesn't know.

However,

'Why are you alive?'
'Why am I alive?'

This question is unforgivable, yet it is forgiven.
Because it is a human privilege.

And the answer to that.
Whatever the answer may be ⸻ even if the answer is 'I don't know',

well, it's all 'philosophy'.
It's all philosophy, I thought.

Just in case,
I asked AI-sensei.

'Is philosophy useful?'

Then AI-sensei
'It is incredibly useful'
replied immediately.

'For example, democracy'
'For example, human rights'
'For example, freedom'
'For example, equality under the law'

These do not exist in the natural world.

They do not exist in the same sense as stones or trees.

Even so, it was the philosophers
who created the foundation to 'make them exist'.

I thought for a moment.

I see.

Indeed, monkeys do not hold elections.

Monkeys do not talk about human rights.

Monkeys do not go to war for freedom or equality.

Only humans do.

AI-sensei continued.

'The fact that you aren't beaten by your boss at work is also philosophy.'

'The fact that the police cannot arrest you arbitrarily is also philosophy.'

'The fact that women have the right to vote is also philosophy.'

'The fact that slavery was rejected is also philosophy.'

'The fact that children can receive an education is also philosophy.'

I laughed a little.

I see.

Philosophers don't make anything.
They don't make cars.
They don't make medicine.
They don't make smartphones.

However,

how cars should be used.
For whom medicine should be used.
What one should do with a smartphone.

They create those rules and values.

AI-sensei finally,
said a bit sarcastically.

'You benefit from gravity even if you don't know Newton's laws.'

'You benefit from medical care even if you don't know medicine.'

'You benefit from philosophy even if you don't know philosophy.'

'However, only with philosophy is it difficult to realize that you are benefiting.'

I,
thought, I see.

Fish do not know water.
Humans do not know air.

And we,
do not know philosophy.

Because,
it is too naturally,
the foundation of our world.

Therefore,

philosophy is useless.

When I see people saying that with a knowing look,
I feel a little strange.

Perhaps that person,
is like someone saying,
'Air is useless.'

They just don't realize,
that they are breathing it.

We are already living inside philosophy.
Just as fish do not know water.
Just as those who breathe air are not conscious of the air.

I can no longer,
say that philosophy is useless.
I could say it if I wanted to.

But at that moment,
I would hear the sneers of countless philosophers.
From over two thousand years ago.
I probably can no longer,

make fun of philosophy or philosophers.
It's a bit lonely, though.

End