And those people who teach philosophy in universities, and are paid to do so, who write articles in philosophical journals, who write books on philosophical topics, and who attend philosophical conferences and meetings, but do not have "that state of mind" whatever that is, what are they? Chopped liver?

Have you ever had any of that chopped chicken liver patte out of a new york deli??? That stuff is good, and I don't mean good in the philosophical sense either...I can tell I am on a diet...Everything reminds me of food...

It is called "chopped liver". It is good, but not for you.

It is called "chopped liver". It is good, but not for you.

And those people who teach philosophy in universities, and are paid to do so, who write articles in philosophical journals, who write books on philosophical topics, and who attend philosophical conferences and meetings, but do not have "that state of mind" whatever that is, what are they? Chopped liver?

I wouldn't say it's necessarily bad for you. Liver has a countless amount of vitamins and minerals and is also a good source of protein, along with the egg (which I believe is traditionally mixed in). And the schmaltz can easily be replaced with healthier oils.

The only thing I can think of that may be bad for you that you can't escape would be the excess amount of cholesterol found in the yolk of the egg (if it's added), and the liver. Also, the proteins may be heavily denatured depending on how it's processed, so you may not be able to utilize much of that protein.

They might, of course, have that state of mind (whatever that state of mind is). But suppose they did not. Would they not be philosophers? On the other hand, suppose there was someone who did have that "state of mind", but who never thought about philosophical problems, and was not connected with philosophy in any way. Would he still be a philosopher? Why? I think you should say more about that state of mind, and how we can tell someone has it.

Is your list of what philosophers "do" a closed system? You learn philosophy so that you can teach philosophy and get published in journals or books for students of philosophy to read?

Where does philosophy, or where do philosophers, serve a useful function in the world outside of academia?

rebecca

Is your list of what philosophers "do" a closed system? You learn philosophy so that you can teach philosophy and get published in journals or books for students of philosophy to read?

Where does philosophy, or where do philosophers, serve a useful function in the world outside of academia?

rebecca

Is it not also productive to understand and to clarify? Productivity need not always lead to some action. As John Milton wrote, "They also serve who only stand and wait". ("On His Blindness")

Is it not also productive to understand and to clarify? Productivity need not always lead to some action. As John Milton wrote, "They also serve who only stand and wait". ("On His Blindness")

Understand and clarify what? For what purpose?

rebecca

For the sake of understanding and clarifying. That also is a goal.

2 garbage men, who had been in the buisness for 2 decades, who had sufferd foul odeurs through out their career, took on a vacation to Turkey and went to the perfume streets.
As they walked the one would become ill, and in the end fell to the ground. The helpful perfume sellers would aid the poor man with their smelling salts, but only making him go to a deeper coma.
The other garbage man would realize it was the thick odour in the street that caused the problem, and pulled his friend out to cleaner air, which helped and he would awaken from the coma.

Conclusion: each their scent.