Gangster Philosophers and Actual Philosophers

"Academic philosophy, it goes without saying, is increasingly seen as a venerable yet useless relic-a field of human inquiry relevant only at a bygone time, when science (as we know it today) did not yet exist. The scientific, techno-optimist mindset dominant in many circles today-with its emphasis on empirical testability and measurable results-is increasingly seen as the most effective, and efficient, method to address the concerns that have traditionally fallen under the purview of academic philosophy."

"The questions as to how to lead a truly fulfilling life, or as to how to make technological progress compatible with other inescapable human aims would, accordingly, be better left alone by philosophy into more scientific, empirically informed hands. Nevertheless, the view that academic philosophy is obsolete is actually at odds with the uniquely valuable, indeed indispensable, function which this discipline plays in everyday life."

"To make my case for this claim, I will rely on a distinction born out of everyday experience: namely, the distinction between gangster philosophers and actual philosophers. More specifically, I will argue that while many people, even those we consider unethical, possess what we can call a working philosophy, academic philosophy can help us make our working philosophy an examined, "good" philosophy."

Academic philosophy is often dismissed as obsolete by proponents of scientific, techno-optimist approaches that prioritize empirical testability and measurable results. Those approaches are seen as better suited to address questions about fulfilling life or aligning technological progress with human aims. Academic philosophy, however, performs a unique and indispensable role in everyday life by transforming unexamined working philosophies into examined, improved ones. A useful distinction separates 'gangster philosophers'—people who operate with unexamined practical beliefs—from actual philosophers who examine and refine guiding principles. Engaging with historical thinkers such as Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz illuminates the contemporary relevance of philosophical examination.

Read at Apaonline