The Underestimated Power of Philosophy

Why Philosophical Thinking is Indispensable in Our Modern World

“What’s the point of that?” — This is a question philosophers often encounter when talking about their work. Especially people with a practical or technical background often see no immediate benefit in philosophical reflections. But is this skepticism justified? Let’s take a closer look at what philosophy actually is and why it’s more relevant to our daily lives than it might seem at first glance.

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Philosophy as a Fundamental Science

Philosophy stands alongside other fundamental disciplines such as theoretical physics, chemistry, or mathematics. Its primary goal is to generate and deepen knowledge — without necessarily aiming for immediate practical application. Similar to a physicist exploring the fundamental laws of the universe without directly working on developing new technologies, philosophers deal with fundamental questions of being, thinking, and human action.

From Theory to Practice

The path from philosophical theory to practical application may seem longer than in other disciplines, but it is no less significant. Let’s take ethics as an example, a central area of philosophy. Ethical considerations flow into almost every aspect of our lives:

• In legislation: Which actions should be allowed or prohibited?
• In medicine: How do we deal with questions of euthanasia or organ donation?
• In technology development: What ethical guidelines should apply to artificial intelligence?
• In economics: How do we define fair working conditions or sustainable economic practices?

The Invisible Presence of Philosophy

We often take the fruits of philosophical work for granted without being aware of their origin. Just as we hammer a nail into the wall without thinking about the years of basic research in metallurgy and materials science, we benefit daily from philosophical insights:

• Our concepts of democracy and human rights have their roots in philosophical debates.
• The logic underlying our computers was developed by philosophers and mathematicians.
• Scientific methods used in all disciplines are based on epistemological considerations.

Philosophy as a Tool for Critical Thinking

In an age where we are confronted with a flood of information and complex global challenges, the ability to think critically is more important than ever. Philosophy teaches us to analyze arguments, question assumptions, and draw clear, logical conclusions. These skills are invaluable in every profession and life situation.

Innovation through Lateral Thinking

Many groundbreaking innovations have come about through the ability to think outside the box and question established ways of thinking. Philosophy promotes exactly this kind of lateral thinking. It encourages us to take new perspectives and develop creative approaches to solutions — a skill that is essential in today’s rapidly changing world.

Interdisciplinary Bridge Function

Philosophy often acts as a bridge between different disciplines. It helps to integrate insights from different fields and create new connections. In a time when complex problems such as climate change or global health crises require interdisciplinary solutions, this ability to synthesize is invaluable. Philosophers are often able to take the “big picture” perspective and recognize connections that specialists in individual fields might overlook.

Historical Perspective and Social Change

Throughout history, philosophical ideas have repeatedly led to concrete changes in society, politics, and science. The Enlightenment in the 18th century, shaped by thinkers like Kant, Voltaire, and Rousseau, laid the foundation for modern concepts of democracy, human rights, and scientific thinking. The development of scientific methods, now applied in all disciplines, has its roots in philosophical reflections on the nature of knowledge and cognition. This historical perspective shows that philosophical ideas, even if they may seem abstract at first, can have profound practical implications in the long term.

Philosophy and Technological Progress

Especially for technically-oriented skeptics, it’s important to understand how closely philosophy and technological progress are intertwined. Many current technological developments raise fundamental philosophical questions:

• Artificial Intelligence: Questions about the nature of consciousness, the ethics of autonomous systems, and the limits of human and machine intelligence.
• Quantum Physics: Philosophical implications for our understanding of reality, causality, and the nature of the universe.
• Biotechnology: Ethical questions about genetic manipulation, enhancement of the human body, and the definition of life.
• Virtual Reality: Questions about the nature of experience, identity, and reality in digital worlds.

Philosophers often work at the forefront of these developments, creating conceptual frameworks, developing ethical guidelines, and examining potential impacts on society and human self-understanding.

Philosophers as Pioneers of Science

Many personalities we primarily associate today with certain scientific or mathematical achievements were primarily philosophers. Their philosophical way of thinking was often the key to their groundbreaking discoveries. Let’s consider some examples:

a) Pythagoras (c. 570–510 BC): Many know Pythagoras for the theorem named after him, which states that in a right-angled triangle, the sum of the squares of the catheti is equal to the square of the hypotenuse. What is often overlooked: Pythagoras was primarily a philosopher. He founded a philosophical school that viewed mathematics, music, and astronomy as ways to understand the divine. For Pythagoras and his followers, numbers were not just mathematical abstractions, but the key to understanding the universe. This philosophical view led to significant mathematical discoveries.

b) Aristotle (384–322 BC): Known as one of the most influential philosophers of all time, Aristotle was also a pioneer in many scientific disciplines. His work on logic laid the foundation for formal logic, which is indispensable in computer science and mathematics today. He is also considered the founder of biology as a scientific discipline due to his systematic studies and classifications of plants and animals.

c) René Descartes (1596–1650): Descartes is known to many as the founder of rationalist thinking in philosophy. Less well known is that he was also a significant mathematician. He developed analytic geometry, which connects algebra and geometry — a breakthrough that significantly influenced modern mathematics and physics. His famous statement “I think, therefore I am” shows how closely philosophy and scientific thinking were intertwined for him.

d) Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716): Leibniz was not only a significant philosopher but also a pioneer in mathematics. He developed infinitesimal calculus independently of Newton and laid important foundations for modern logic. His philosophical reflections on metaphysics and the nature of reality influenced his mathematical thinking and vice versa.

e) Bertrand Russell (1872–1970): Russell is an example from recent history. As a philosopher, he dealt intensively with logic and epistemology. At the same time, he made significant contributions to mathematical logic. His work “Principia Mathematica,” which he wrote together with Alfred North Whitehead, was an attempt to place all of mathematics on a logical foundation.

These examples show that the boundaries between philosophy and other disciplines are often fluid. Many fundamental concepts and methods that we take for granted today in mathematics, physics, and other sciences have their origins in philosophical considerations.

Personal Development and Quality of Life

Philosophy offers not only societal and scientific benefits but can also contribute to personal development and improvement of quality of life. Philosophical concepts and ways of thinking can help people deal with life’s challenges and lead a more fulfilled existence:

• Stoicism: This ancient philosophical school teaches us to distinguish between what we can control and what we cannot, promoting inner peace and resilience.
• Existentialism: Philosophers like Sartre and Camus offer perspectives on questions about the meaning of life and human freedom that can be helpful in times of personal crisis.
• Ethics: Philosophical reflections on values and moral action can help us make informed decisions in difficult situations.
• Epistemology: Understanding how we acquire knowledge and what we can really know can lead to more openness and critical thinking in everyday life.

Philosophy as a Problem-Solving Tool

Philosophical methods can concretely help in solving practical problems — be it in business management, politics, or personal life:

• Logical Analysis: Helps to structure arguments and recognize fallacies.
• Thought Experiments: Allow hypothetical scenarios to be played out and their consequences thought through.
• Dialectics: The art of argumentation and productive handling of opposites can be useful in negotiations and conflict resolution.
• Conceptual Analysis: Helps to clarify terms and avoid misunderstandings, which is valuable in many professional contexts.

Future Relevance

In a time when humanity is confronted with unprecedented global challenges, philosophy is becoming increasingly important. It helps us think through the ethical implications of new technologies, develop concepts for a just global order, and reformulate fundamental questions about our relationship to nature and to each other. Topics such as:

• Climate change and environmental ethics
• Global justice and resource distribution
• Transhumanism and the future of human nature
• Artificial intelligence and the nature of consciousness

require philosophical reflection to find responsible and sustainable solutions.

Philosophy and Media Literacy

In times of fake news, information overload, and complex global connections, the ability to think critically and analyze information in a differentiated way is essential. Philosophy offers tools for developing media literacy:

• Logic and argumentation theory help to recognize errors in argumentation.
• Epistemology sharpens awareness of the limits and possibilities of human knowledge.
• Ethical reflection supports the evaluation of information and its consequences.

These skills are invaluable in a digitalized world where information often flows unfiltered and in large quantities.

Concrete Professional Fields

For pragmatically thinking people, it’s important to know that philosophical training is in demand in many concrete professional fields:

• Ethics consulting in companies and hospitals
• Think tanks and political consulting
• Technology companies (e.g., in the development of AI guidelines)
• Journalism and media
• Management consulting (especially for strategy and organizational development)
• Education and adult education
• Conflict mediation and diplomacy

In these and many other areas, the analytical, communicative, and conceptual skills developed through studying philosophy are highly valued.

Philosophy is meaningful and indispensable

Philosophy may at first glance appear to be an abstract, unworldly discipline. On closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that it is deeply rooted in our everyday lives and contributes significantly to our understanding of the world and our ability to navigate it. From the ethics that govern our coexistence to the logical foundations of our technology — philosophy is omnipresent, even if we don’t always perceive it.

Like the nail in the wall that wouldn’t exist without years of basic research, many aspects of our daily lives are based on philosophical insights and debates. Philosophy is not a luxury for idlers, but a fundamental tool that helps us understand and shape the complexity of our world.

The examples of historical personalities such as Pythagoras, Aristotle, or Descartes impressively show how philosophical thinking has led to groundbreaking discoveries in mathematics, natural sciences, and other fields. This tradition continues to this day, where philosophers work at the interface of ethics, technology, and society, making important contributions to addressing global challenges.

In a time of rapid technological change and complex global problems, the ability to think critically and holistically, as promoted by philosophy, is more important than ever. Whether it’s about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, questions of global justice, or dealing with climate change — philosophical reflection is essential to make informed decisions and develop responsible solutions.

Moreover, philosophy offers tools for personal development and can contribute to a more fulfilled, reflective life. In a world often characterized by superficiality and short-term thinking, philosophy encourages us to dig deeper, ask questions, and search for meaning and significance.

The practical relevance of philosophical skills is also reflected in the diversity of professional fields in which philosophers are active today — from corporate ethics to technology development to political consulting.

Ultimately, philosophy is not just an academic discipline, but a way of thinking and an attitude towards the world. It teaches us to question assumptions, think clearly, and be open to new perspectives. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, these skills are invaluable.

So the next time you see a philosopher at work, remember: They may be working on the foundations for tomorrow’s solutions — even if we may not reap the fruits of this work for years or decades to come. Philosophy is not only relevant, it is indispensable for a reflective, ethically sound, and sustainable society.

In this sense, philosophy is far more than academic pondering — it is a key to understanding and shaping our world, a tool for personal and societal development, and an inexhaustible source of inspiration and innovation. Let us not dismiss philosophy as an unworldly discipline, but appreciate it for what it is: a fundamental and indispensable force in the development of human thought and action.

Finally, I would like to recommend a text by Massimo Pigliucci. This is also about philosophy as a science. Just a little — well, different from my article above.

Against scientism