Martha Nussbaum and Cornel West on the Value of Philosophy to Democracy

Comments Due: 11:59PM Tuesday, February 5. 2013.

In class we are considering whether we should bother studying philosophy. This week in particular we are in the midst of discussing the merits of the following argument:

1. Studying philosophy is useless for addressing material needs.
2. If studying philosophy is useless for addressing material needs, then there's no need to study philosophy.
3. Therefore, there's no need to study philosophy.

To help you further evaluate the argument, here's what I want you to do.



Martha Nussbaum

First, listen carefully to the following brief audio clip where Martha Nussbaum (Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law, Ethics, Human Rights, and Ancient Philosophy at the University of Chicago) is interviewed by Nigel Warburton on the value of philosophy to democracy. Here's the brief intro to the audio file:

"Why study Humanities subjects? Isn't studying Philosophy, for example, just a luxury of no obvious value to a democracy? Martha Nussbaum thinks not. In her recent book, Not For Profit, she has made a passionate defence of the Humanities. In this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast she discusses these issues with Nigel Warburton."

(After clicking on the link, click on "Listen to Martha...." just above the pictures of the books.)

http://philosophybites.com/2010/12/martha-nussbaum-on-the-value-of-the-humanities.html



Yes, this happened.

Next, consider this video interview with Cornel West (Class of 1943 University Professor at Princeton University, Emeritus; Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary) where, among other things, he talks about what philosophy is and the role of philosophy in democracy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7EU0-mjw5M

There is plenty here in both clips to provoke discussion. What, in your view, were some of the main claims regarding the nature and role of philosophy in a democracy? What is it that philosophy in particular contributes to democracy? What, if any, are the implications of their views for your own practices and pursuits? Do Nussbaum and West have anything in particular to say to the Church? Might their views have any implications for Cedarville?

Please engage with one another. Take advantage of this opportunity to think together in community. Don't be satisfied with superficial responses to difficult matters. Don't be content with superficial thinking here. Challenge yourself and others. Press hard. And, as always, be gracious and charitable.