Why Philosophy?

Do we really need philosophy? The present collection of jargon-free essays aims at answering the question of why philosophy matters. Each essay considers the central question (Why Philosophy?) from different angles: the unavoidability of doing philosophy, the practical consequences of philosophy, philosophy as a therapy for the whole person, the benefits of philosophy for improving public policy, etc. Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction: Why Philosophy? I. What Is Philosophy? Doing Philosophy The House Always Wins: Why Philosophy Isn’t Optional Why We Need Philosophy – and Philosophers Irreverent Thoughts on the Relevance of Philosophy II. What can Philosophy Contribute? Philosophy, Bias, and Stigma Thinking Failure in the War in Iraq: The Cultural Turn and the Concept of “World” The Role of Philosophy in “Post-Truth” Times III. What can Philosophy do? A Robot Took My Boyfriend and My Job: Positioning Philosophy for a Resurgence Good for Nothing: On Philosophy and its Discontents On Thinking in a Thoughtless Time Contributors Index of Names Index of Subjects