1. READING QUESTIONS:
1. Where, according to Russell, is the value of philosophy to be found?
According to Russell, It is exclusively among the goods of the mind that the value of
philosophy is to be found.
2. Why does Russell maintain that the “uncertainty of philosophy is more apparent
than real”?
As mentioned in the article, during the long-term development, some subjects cease to
be called philosophy, and become a separate science. The whole study of the heavens,
which now belongs to astronomy, was once included in philosophy; Newton’s great
work was called “the mathematical principles of natural philosophy.” Similarly, the
study of human mind, which was a part of philosophy, has now been separated from
philosophy and has become the science of psychology. Those questions which are
already capable of definite answers are placed in the sciences, while those only to
which, at present, no definite answer can be given remain to form the residue which is
called philosophy. And as what Russell says in the article that it is uncertainty that
keeps philosophical fires burning. Philosophy exists because our human keep
wondering and being curious about what happens in our daily life. Thus, to a great
extent, the uncertainty of philosophy is more apparent than real.
3. What dose Russell mean when he asserts that the value of philosophy is to be
sought in its “very uncertainty”?
Philosophy is unable to tell us with certainty what the true answer to the doubts is but
it is able to suggest many possibilities which enlarge our thoughts and free them from
the tyranny of custom. Thus, while diminishing our feeling of certainty as to what
they may be; it removes the somehow arrogant dogmatism of those who have never
travelled into region of liberating doubt, and it keeps alive our sense of wonder by
showing familiar things in an unfamiliar aspect. In the long-term development, the
definition of philosophy itself is an uncertainty. There have existed different
understandings about what philosophy is and what it studies. It includes the
exploration and formulation of basic questions which base on the keeping free-
minded and curious to the uncertainty. We can put it in another way; it is the
uncertainty that provides philosophy with unique charm and perennial vitality. Hence
the value of philosophy represent in its uncertainty and the exploration of uncertainty.
4. According to Russell, what may be the chief value of philosophy?
According to Russell, the chief value of philosophy that through the greatness of the
objects which it contemplates, and the freedom from narrow and personal aims
resulting from this contemplation.
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
1. What do you think Russell means when he characterizes “true philosophic
contemplation” as finding satisfaction in the “enlargement of the not-self”? Is this
clear?

2. It is clear because philosophic contemplation is wide, as mentioned in the article, it
divide the universe into two hostile camps---friends and foes, helpful and hostile,
good and bad—it views the whole impartially. When it is unalloyed, does not aim at
proving that the rest of universe is akin to man. All acquisition of knowledge is an
enlargement of the self, but this enlargement is best attained when it is not directly
sought, it is obtained when the desire for knowledge is alone operative. Enlargement
of self is not obtained when, taking the self as it is.
2.How dose Russell sum up the value of philosophical study? Do you agree with
Russell? Why or why not?
Russell asserts that philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of any definite
answers to its questions. And through the greatness of the universe which philosophy
contemplates, the mind also is rendered great. I agree with what he concludes that
philosophy is the rational attempt to formulate, understand and answer fundamental
questions and firmly believe that philosophy is an activity rather than a body of set
teachings and philosophers are concerned with formulating and understanding
questions as they are with finding answers.