Common Misconceptions about Philosophy
Wikipedia has a page dedicated to common misconceptions (via Kottke). While the page has sections for history, math, science, and food (among other things), there is no section for common misconceptions about philosophy. Might I suggest we create a list for one? I’ll start:
1. There are no common misconceptions about philosophy.
2. Only when the dusk starts to fall does the owl of Minerva spread its wings and fly.
“Philosophy is just, like, your opinion, man”
reminds me of this old joke: http://consc.net/misc/univ-joke.html
1) Almost all Common Conceptions about Philosophy
2) An exception to (1). A taxi driver once said to me: Philosophy is sort of like Dermatology. It doesn’t do a lot of good; on the other hand it is usually not harmful.
Metaphysics concerns the energies of crystals, stones, and pyramids.
C: C is a common misconception about philosophy.
People still do philosophy.
That’s a misconception, is it?
Misconception: every philosopher is either a failed scientist or a failed artist.
(This is a misconception because it omits those who are both.)
But it doesn’t.
Philosophy is the study of philosophers.
philosophy is mostly concerned with ‘why?’ questions rather than ‘what?’ questions.
To my mind, the most important misconception about philosophy is that it is not really a subject that requires years of education and practice in a specific field (philosophy) to do well. Not every non-philosopher thinks this, but one comes across many academics who do, and this has pernicious effects on grant funding, the provision of job searches, etc.
Every philosopher has their own philosophy.
Implied by question: “Oh, you’re a philosopher. So, what’s your philosophy?”