Philosophy is the handmaiden to theology. Good philosophy is essential to good theology, and to the Good life. Every man may be a philosopher by nature, but not everyone actually knows anything about philosophy beyond Monty Python (not a bad start, actually) and an introductory course they attended infrequently as a college freshman. One of my philosophy professors once told us, “when you’re at a cocktail party and someone asks what you studied in college, don’t say philosophy…just tell them you paint houses. People say crazy things to philosophy majors.” It is comments like these that he may have had in mind.
1. “So here’s one for ya’…if a tree falls in the woods and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?”
You’re confusing epistemology with ontology. Not sure what those words mean? You should take a philosophy course from Holy Apostles and Seminary.
2. “I decided to get a degree in something useful”
Philosophy is not useful, nor is it practical. That’s why it’s so necessary. It doesn’t just equip one for this or that trade or some particular skill, but for the serious business of the human experience. Economics? Puh! Try human being!
3. “So when are you going back to school?”
The Good, True, and Beautiful are contemplated for their own sake. But yeah…I’m still in school. And loving it (!) at Holy Apostles College & Seminary.
4. “Like, ‘I think therefore I am’ and all that?”
Sure.
5. “Pretty sure I got an A in the philosophy class I slept through in college.”
No comment.
6. “I bet you regret that choice of degree in this economy, eh?”
Actually, no. Check it out. Philosophers know how to think, which tends to be, you know, handy. You can’t avoid philosophy…but you can do it badly. So it would be wise to study it properly. May I suggest Holy Apostles College and Seminary?
7. “Hey have you heard this one? You know who the last guy to get any use out of a philosophy degree was? Your philosophy professor!”
I have heard it, in fact. The guy that told it to me? My philosophy professor.
8. “You know what they say, ‘philosophy bakes no bread'”
Remember when Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone” (Matt 4:4) and “I AM the Bread of Life” (John 6:35)? Yeah, that was awesome.
9. “But how can we ever really know anything, anyway…you know?”
https://i.imgur.com/4Nh2NHC.gif
Are you sure about that? REALLY sure?
10. “Science eliminates the need for philosophy”
