quotations about philosophy
Philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of any definite answers to its questions, since no definite answers can, as a rule, be known to be true, but rather for the sake of the questions themselves; because these questions enlarge our conception of what is possible, enrich our intellectual imagination and diminish the dogmatic assurance which closes the mind against speculation; but above all because, through the greatness of the universe which philosophy contemplates, the mind is also rendered great, and becomes capable of that union with the universe which constitutes its highest good.
BERTRAND RUSSELL
The Problems of Philosophy
To philosophise is to learn to die -- philosophising is a soaring up to the Godhead -- the knowledge of Being as Being.
KARL JASPERS
"Philosophy and Science", World Review Magazine, March 1950
Too much philosophy makes men mad.
ALAN JUDD
The Noonday Devil
Philosophy is life's dry-nurse, who can take care of us -- but not suckle us.
SOREN KIERKEGAARD
Journals and Papers, 1837
You may proclaim, good sirs, your fine philosophy
But till you feed us, right and wrong can wait!
BERTOLT BRECHT
The Threepenny Opera
To ridicule philosophy is really to act the part of a philosopher.
BLAISE PASCAL
attributed, Day's Collacon
A scientists asks why philosophy matters. The philosopher counters and asks "Why does science matter?" The scientist thinks for a moment before replying that science matters because ... and here, the philosopher interrupts him and says. "You're doing philosophy."
ERIC METAXAS
"Bill Nye the Science Guy Doesn't Get Philosophy", Christian Post, April 2, 2016
The philosopher is neither a chemist, a smith, a merchant, or a manufacturer; but he both teaches and is taught by all of them; and his prayer is that the intellectual light may be as general as the solar, and uncontrolled.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON
Lacon
In wonder all philosophy began, in wonder it ends, and admiration fills up the interspace: but the first is the wonder-offspring of ignorance, the last is the parent of adoration. The first is the birth-throe of our knowledge; the last is its euthanasy and apotheosis.
STEPHEN TAYLOR COLERIDGE
Aids to Reflection