Single Idea 13293

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / a. Philosophy as worldly]

Full Idea

Shall I tell you what philosophy holds out for humanity? Counsel.

Gist of Idea

What philosophy offers humanity is guidance

Source

Seneca the Younger (Letters from a Stoic [c.60], 048)

Book Reference

Seneca: 'Letters from a Stoic (Selections)', ed/tr. Campbell,Robin [Penguin 1969], p.98


A Reaction

See Quine for a flat modern denial of this claim (Idea 9764). There is a modern tendency to see ethics and political thought operating at a meta- or metameta- level. I take the main ethical theories to be very illuminating of real life.

Related Idea

Idea 9764 Inspiration and social improvement need wisdom, but not professional philosophy [Quine]