posted
Andrew gave the commencement speech at the Philosophy graduation (each major has its own ceremony) at the University of Delaware (his alma mater). I know I'm biased, but I think it's fantastic (so did the graduates, their families, and the professors) and I thought y'all might want to read it. Here it is:
Philosophy Commencement Speech May 28, 2005
I’m honored and delighted to be addressing all of you this morning. It was nearly 16 years ago that I entered this building for my very first college class, CALC 241 at 8am. Fortunately, I am better rested today. It’s also been 12 years since my own commencement. It’s thrilling to be able to relive that without having to look ahead to moving out of the dorm this afternoon.
Although I’ve spent the better part of the last 12 years in Academic Philosophy, I’ve had occasion to interview for different kinds of jobs. Upon learning of my college major, many would ask rhetorically, “so, you’re an idealist?” Others, intrigued by my choice of majors, would ask “so, what is your philosophy?”
These questions reflect common misunderstandings about the nature of your education. The study of Philosophy is not about weaving ideology or dogma, and it is certainly not about crafting clever aphorisms. Rather, it has everything to do with what I eventually learned was the most fitting reply: “No, I’m not an idealist. I just think carefully, and I think things through.”
Indeed, you’ve developed into abstract and rigorous thinkers.
It wasn’t until after college that I began to see the value of this major in a different light. In fact, philosophy is not the exclusive domain of the card-carrying philosopher. Many, if not most, fields deal with philosophical questions on their own. Is that a problem for philosophy as a discipline? No, it means that there are opportunities. Philosophy can contribute to nearly every field. This is possible because philosophy is not what it is often misunderstood to be. Rather, the practice of the love of wisdom is several things: it is a temperament, it is an exercise of intellectual discipline, and it is a creative enterprise.
It should not suffice to say that the philosopher does not trade in dogma. That suggests indifference. Rather, the philosopher attacks dogma, giving it no quarter. But such a commitment requires a willingness to hold up all judgments to serious scrutiny. The temperament you’ve cultivated throughout your education helps to make that possible.
It takes a disciplined mind to calmly, dispassionately evaluate the consequences of our beliefs. Your training here, no doubt, has helped to instill such discipline in you. I agree with David Hume that reason is the slave of the passions, but that is not to say that the slave can’t lull its master.
And never forget that this practice requires a boldness of imagination. Discovering the solutions to philosophical problems, and the implications they present, requires creativity. The philosopher also expresses creativity in recasting persistent problems in new and illuminating ways. At times, the philosopher can introduce clarity through a simple change in perspective. While this creativity can be nurtured, I’m not sure that it can be taught. In any case, you have it.
These are the strengths you’ve furthered in your time here, and you’ll have them long after the details of Kant’s Categorical Imperative, Plato’s allegory of the cave, and Hume’s account of impressions all fade a bit in memory.
Whether or not you knew you wanted to be a philosophy major when you came to college, you made important choices as you began, and then continued, this course of study. “Why this, and not something else?” you might have asked. Keep in mind that for every one of you, there were many who would not or continue on this demanding road as you have. Philosophy is an intimidating subject for many. As a teacher, I know this. You, on the other hand, embraced this challenge.
Why do many hold a dim view of Philosophy? Perhaps they see it as the legacy of long dead thinkers, subject to constant attack and even ridicule from their contemporary successors. Indeed, many of us earn our keep bringing to light the many errors of the great philosophers. Few of us think that Plato, Descartes, or Kant got it right. We cannot ignore their contributions, however, and the discovery of errors can be illuminating.
There’s more to it than that. Philosophy, sadly, is too closely associated with its errors, with its failed programs and doctrines. What needs be recognized is that it has also spawned spectacular successes. The problem is that these successes, fields including economics, psychology, linguistics have historical roots in philosophy. But as they become autonomous disciplines, we seem to forget their philosophical pedigree. And we often overlook the contributions of the great philosophers, whom we often study only to illuminate their errors, to these successes.
Consider two giants in our intellectual history, Adam Smith and Karl Marx, champions of opposing economic systems, Capitalism and Socialism, respectively. Many people think they were economists or political scientists. In fact, they were philosophers in training and in spirit. I would argue that it is just because of their enormous influence on these other fields that philosophy gets little credit for their successes. Perhaps our field will have to remain unsung, but we can be proud for what it offers.
This begins to describe much of the potential of our field. It also reflects a trend that finds the boundaries between philosophy and other disciplines more blurry. Today, we can’t ignore the contributions of jurists, cognitive scientists, economists, and environmentalists, among others. If they can talk to us, we can talk to them.
While we see some progress in interdisciplinary philosophy, we really ought to consider why there is so little dialogue between philosophers and the public at large. Why isn’t the national discourse teeming with public philosophers who can interject calm reflection into contentious debates? Where are the philosophers who can exercise genuine leadership, using their analytical skills to frame debates and elevate the level of discourse? I’ve heard many different answers to these questions. Few of them flatter us. If we’ve grown too cozy in the ivory tower, then perhaps it lies upon the new crop of philosophers to take the initiative in showing the world how our practices are relevant.
The good news is that we have seen the emergence of new media for debate. In the electronic age, thinkers of all backgrounds can engage in ways that were extremely difficult back when I was leaving college. There are more opportunities than ever to participate as public intellectuals.
I would venture to guess that you were attracted to this major by strong intellectual curiosity, a driving need to find the answers to life’s big questions. If you’ve found them, we should talk at the reception. If not, then you might be realizing that becoming a serious student of philosophy means that you’ll always be a student in spirit. That is, there is always more to learn, and there are always new questions to be raised.
I for one have never stopped being a student. Yes, my days of paying tuition are long gone. But teaching philosophy represents an opportunity to learn from my students. Although they might never admit it, your professors here have likely gained a great deal from your insights. I continually gain new insights into great works and philosophical problems as I present them time and again to newcomers to philosophy. Teaching is the driving force behind my philosophizing, and the classroom is where my original ideas develop. Although my kind of job is the only one that requires a Ph.D. in philosophy, it is not the only job for the philosopher.
The irony is that while this kind of education is immensely rewarding, it is never complete. Some of you might be going on to further formal study, but that is not the only path. There’s always more training to be had, but you’ve all become philosophical thinkers. What you’ve done thus far in philosophy, and what you’ll continue to do, will enrich whatever endeavors you take up in the future.
Congratulations, class of 2005. May all your future challenges be as rewarding.
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"It should not suffice to say that the philosopher does not trade in dogma. That suggests indifference. Rather, the philosopher attacks dogma, giving it no quarter."
Ponders the community of Hatrack and the above quote. Wonders if the Cards would consider handing out "Budding Philospher" degrees at certain points in a jatraquero's career . . . *grin*
Mrs. M - that was a lovely address your husband gave!
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