Tag Archive for: authoritarian

Philosophy has always had two different objects: to arrive at a theoretical understanding of the structure of the world; and to discover and disseminate the best possible way of an ethical life. Some philosophers have left no stone unturned so as to make their philosophical ideas quite accessible for a cosmopolitan audience, no matter whether they are called common people or laypeople; young or old. One of them is Russell who proves philosophy should no longer be confined to decorate the discussion tables at academic establishments and within the research university settings. It is not full of high sounding words, lengthy sentences and Jargon which can only be made out by intellectuals. It is no unattainable arcadia for commonality nor is it a serious discipline of study because it is strictly institutionalized. Bertrand Russell, a multi-faceted genius, has turned the table and dispelled the illusions and delusions and spilled the beans that philosophy is for everyone, as everyone is compared to a builder by HW Long Fellow in his poem, The Builders. The poet says that people need to be careful in spending their time on good things as what they do now affects their lives and others lives later. So they should use their time and thoughts to make their lives more meaningful. Here they build their lives, it may be individual, but individual contributions ultimately become collective contributions as personal ethics become interpersonal ethics and personal discipline leads to interpersonal discipline.