Since Philosophy does not “bake bread”, why is it still necessary to study it?

Philosophy Bakes Bread is a radio show and podcast that promotes public philosophy by showcasing philosophy’s relevance for everyday life as well as public policy.  Philosophers including Martha Nussbaum and Tommy Curry have been featured, and Daniel Dennett will be on the show in the spring.  It was launched early in 2017 and is produced by the Society of Philosophers in America (SOPHIA)–which was awarded the 2017 APA/PDC Prize for Excellence and Innovation in Philosophy Programs.  I connected with co-hosts Eric Thomas Weber and Anthony Cashio via email about the show.

Philosophy Bakes Bread logo smallAt the beginning of your podcasts, you have a segment called “Know thyself” where you ask guests about how they came to be interested in philosophy and how they approach it… so I’d like to throw that question back to you!

Eric Thomas Weber: Nice! Well, I’ve always loved to think and to argue. I was told that I should be a lawyer. My greatest interests early on were about how to live a happy life. Most people will say that they want to be happy and to make a difference. Some people will say that they want to make a lot of money in life. I knew that I wanted to make enough money, whatever that was going to mean, but that money wasn’t my goal. What I did wonder a lot about was what would make a person happy, and me in particular, of course. When thinking about that, I found that it was the philosophers who considered that kind of question most seriously. People often come to earn a lot of money, yet can still be very unhappy. “What makes the difference?” I wondered. I loved Aristotle early on, but to be sure, it was Plato who hooked me, with Socrates asking the kinds of questions I would wonder about.

I continue to see philosophy in terms of pursuing happiness. Thinking can help us to be happier, to be smarter, more considerate, and reasonable. It helps me to think about others’ motivations, to question my own when I get upset, and so on. I was drawn to the pragmatists. I love the insight that ideas have seriously important value for real life. Even while I appreciate puzzles and curiosities for their own sake, I also note that it is vital for people to think clearly, cautiously, and with consideration of and goodwill towards others.