The Awesomeness Defense

Why philosophy is valuable.

Defenses of the value of philosophy are always needed. This one, from Eric Schwitzgebel, is interesting and unapologetic in a way that I think people will appreciate. A sample:

Earth is a bright spot of value in the cosmos, in other words, in part because it contains human beings who, driven by curiosity and a non-instrumental desire to address hard questions, attempt some philosophy. Philosophical enquiry makes the entire planet better than it would otherwise be. It helps constitute the awesomeness of Earth. Philosophy needs no further excuse.

Read the entire thing at Aeon.