What is philosophy? From the critic ...

If you're like most people you are confused both by philosophy and by why it exists. But even more than that, you "hate" philosophers; and by that I mean the males who talk about nothing over-confidently. Cuz its almost always males. After all, hyper-rationality is often a masculine trait.

Its also one that annoys people.

But why is that? And would discussing this problem shed light on this month's question: What is philosophy?

The answer lies in the difference between most fields of knowledge and philosophy. Most fields are very specific and, though philosophy can be specifically applied, it stands out as something different.

A brain surgeon knows a bunch about the brain and surgery. If you talk with him, you are most likely not gonna get sucked into his field of knowledge. He may mention he is a brain surgeon, but that might be the end of it. "Oh, that sounds hard." "Yes, the school was, now it isn't really that much harder than being a good lawyer ..." Oh ... so modest.

Now talking to real philosophers (and I stress real) is a completely different thing. A philosopher, in one sense (or two), is an expert on communication and wisdom. Communication because ideas cannot be held in a vaccum and because real ideas must be clear. Communication is just that when it works: social and clear. Wisdom is not just "how much" you know (though that's the misconception) but "how" you know things. What kind of epistemological premise you hold, explicitly or implicitly.

Now I'm going to say something that is going to be a bit controversial. Imagine that. Communication and wisdom are the two things required above others to live your everyday life. They are actually absolutes. So in this sense, philosophers are, or should be, experts on your life. Even above and beyond psychologists, who I would argue share some of this fundamental universality, they know more about talking and knowing that other people. They know more about it in the same way, and to the same extent, that the brain surgeon knows more about the brain.

So, if this is true, let the shit show begin. When you are talking with a real philosopher, you cannot escape his or her field. Every word out of your mouth demonstrates your clarity and wisdom, whether you intend it to or not. Every single one. And therefore, every problem you are attempting to solve, for the most part, is tied up with this ability. And so even a casual conversation with a real philosopher drags him into a discussion of his field whether he likes it or not.

For example, most people today engage in glib political debate. They sound like experts (I call this being a redneck) and they, from both sides, spit out ideas that assume the position of expertise. That is because, believe it or not, politics, like morality, is fundamental. It should come as no surprise then that the "pillars" of philosophical training and knowledge end in politics and morality.

Let me say it again. I may not be an expert on Gore or Clinton. By I am a trained expert on what it means to politic or to govern or to debate grand ideas related to creating and managing a civilization. I may not be an expert on America (but I am) yet I am an expert on what it means to construct a nation and implement, say, a separation between church and state.

Let me sum this up by saying that talking with the annoying male philosopher (which is just as annoying to him, I might add) is like talking to any expert. But because it is closer to home, most people don't understand this and they treat this in a way similar to how they treat a talk with their mother-in-law. THIS is the same as arguing with a brain surgeon about neural pathways and clinical studies and surgical tools. Sorry, it is.

So cut real philosophers a break. See it for what it is. And if you're so worried about it and want to have a real conversation ... well, get gud.

*the comments about men come from the assumption that most women don't like philosophy the way it is today (a tradition of old white male empiricism and obscurant bullshit). In my opinion women would make better philosophers if they were interested. Just read Rand.