Why Philosophy?
6 minute speech given to Titan Toastmasters on 14 January 2002 for Competant Toastmaster (Speech #1) from Communication and Leadership Manual (Ice Breaker Speech)

(During this speech, I showed text pages to designate major topics.)

After two years of agonizing off and on, gave up programming to return to philosophy this fall

  • Programming: interesting work, good money, smart co-workers
  • Philosophy: little money, jobs scarce, petty politics of academia

    • Explain my decision to you; get to know me better.

    But first: What is philosophy?

    Asks and answers the most fundamental, most abstract questions of human existence.

  • Metaphysics: Is the universe orderly and comprehensible? Do our souls survive death? (basic nature of the universe)
  • Epistemology: Can we be certain of anything? Should I rely upon feelings or my reason to tell me whether an idea is true or false? (nature and means of acquiring knowledge)
  • Ethics: Is selflessness a noble ideal? Should I forgive someone who has wronged me but never apologized? (the values principles that ought to guide action)
  • Political Philosophy: Should our tax dollars provide a safety net for the poor? Should the government outlaw self-destructive acts like drug abuse? (proper social organization and government)
  • Aesthetics: Why do we find certain works of art so compelling? Is beauty only in the eye of the beholder? (nature and function of art)
  • These are basic questions of philosophy. Much academic philosophy is silly speculation, unconnected the world we actually live in. Philosophy ought to address real-life questions. Everyone needs, however sketchy and rudimentary, answers to these questions. Answers determine the basic character of their lives. Philosophy should help answer these questions in a rational way, in full knowledge of the consequences. Bad philosophy often disastrous, both on a individual and social scale.
    • Why philosophy?

    Not looking to knock programming. Worthy pursuit; didn't fit my goals.

  • Challenge: Good philosophical analysis and writing is difficult. Uses al l my brain power. All the lights are on the in house. Can slide by when programming.
  • Knowledge: Good philosophizing requires a broad range of knowledge (psychology, history, religion, anthropology, economics), so good excuse to broaden my intellectual horizons. I want to know everything!
  • Character: The study of philosophy is morally invigorating, character-building. By studying rationality, I learn to be more rational. By studying courage, I become more courageous. Honesty paper helped me see hidden consequences of dishonesty. And so on.

    • In the end, my reasons for choosing philosophy really boil down to sheer delight in working through and successfully answering the questions that philosophy poses to us all.