In a previous post, I argued that a philosophy degree is useful for more than a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant. I discussed some of the data that show the value of an undergraduate philosophy degree not only for graduate school, but also for the workforce.
20th Century philosopher Josef Pieper offers a different view. In his discussion of the nature of philosophy, Pieper makes the following claim:
"To philosophize is to act in such a way that one steps out of the workaday world...the philosophical act is incommensurable with the world of supply and demand (pp. 77, 79)."
For Pieper, philosophy is its own end. Or, to put it differently, it should be done for its own sake. Because of this, it can never serve as a means to some other end. The aim of philosophical reflection for him is to clearly grasp the nature and structure of ultimate reality. The goal is that the order of reality would be inscribed on the order of our minds or souls. This is valuable in and of itself. Philosophy shouldn't be put to work for other goals. In its purest form, it transcends the world of work.
In what sense, then, is philosophy useful? Something is useful if it serves the goals that you have. So philosophy is useful if you want to understand reality: the world, yourself, and how you ought to live. We all have beliefs about the big questions in life, even if we aren't aware of them. These beliefs are, in many ways, the tracks on which our lives run. We are all philosophers, then, in that sense. Our choice is not whether or not to philosophize. Rather, our choice is to philosophize well, or not.
I think philosophy at its best is done in the way that Pieper describes it. But I would argue that philosophy is useful for its own sake, as well as for other goals. A degree in philosophy can not only help you become a more thoughtful, reflective, and wise person, it can help you succeed in your pursuit of excellence in the field of your choice. But most fundamentally, the study of philosophy, whether in a classroom or not, should lead to wisdom for everyday life. And that is a goal we should all value, for its own sake.