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Books
What is Philosophy For? by Mary Midgley
To philosophy… and beyond! John Shand agrees with Mary Midgley about philosophy’s purpose.
What is Philosophy For? is a remarkable book by any standards: Mary Midgley wrote it in the last year of her life, and she was ninety-nine when it was published! Would that we were all as compos mentis at that age. It’s just as well to get these considerations out of the way as soon as possible, for they are irrelevant to the merits of the book, except insofar as the book clearly reflects a very long time thinking about the answer to the question posed by its title.
Philosophy maps connections between different areas of thought
Map © Ingolfson 2011
At the outset I want to lay my cards on the table and agree that her answer is broadly speaking correct. I have a few caveats, but essentially it’s right.
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