The Benefit and Harm of Philosophy

Abstract

These days, philosophy is seen as an integral part of basic general subjects in any university’s curriculum. Yet, a response to the questions of what the purpose of philosophy is today and what its benefit is as a science, never stops being relevant. The purpose of our study is to explore the specific nature of philosophy as a form of cognition, to show narrowness of the restrictive utilitarian attitude of education that does not give individuals a chance to develop self-cognition and independent free thought. Analysis of various conceptual approaches formed over the history of philosophy lets us consistently justify some important statements. First, studying of philosophy promotes the development of critical thinking that teaches to look at oneself and the circumstances from the outside. Second, philosophy is becoming a method of spiritual transformation and self-cognition for a thinking person that helps ‘not to ignore oneself’ and ‘not to lose oneself. Third, philosophy is an effective remedy against the consciousness industry that brings up uniform standardized thinking and promotes false needs. Finally, free thought, without which the study of philosophy is impossible, helps resist various ideological manipulations and systems of total control over an individual and a daily life. The results of our speculations on the place and objectives of philosophy can be used for teaching humanitarian subjects at a university.