The following is my summary of chapter 15. THE VALUE OF PHILOSOPHY.
Is philosophy practically useful?
Many men doubt whether the study of philosophy has any practical value for them. While physical science is directly useful to whom study it and mankind in general, the study of philosophy can make our society more valuable through its effects upon the lives of those who study it. The study of philosophy can contribute to the goods of the mind, while a practical man only need to have food for the body.
Does it give us any definite knowledge?
Philosophy doesn’t aim to achieve any definite knowledge. If definite knowledge concerning any subject becomes possible, this subject becomes a separate science- psychology, physics, chemistry, etc. Philosophy doesn’t provide us knowledge as to what things are, but what they may be.
Philosophic contemplation
The life of instinctive man is similar to life in prison. This life is only instinctive and confined to his private interests. We must escape from this prisoned life. In contemplation, one must see things in God’s point of view. Enlargement of oneself is obtained when the desire for knowledge is alone operative. The personal point of view distorts the objects.
Quotes from Chapter 15
Thus contemplation enlarges not only the objects of our thoughts, but also the objects of our actions and our affections: it makes us citizens of the universe, not only of one walled city at war with all the rest. In this citizenship of the universe consists man’s true freedom, and his liberation from the thraldom of narrow hopes and fears.
