Introduction to the Philosophy of the

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Human Person
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 3 - Philo Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

MODULE 3:
CHARGE OF FUTILIY | TRUTH, KNOWLEDGE, & WISDOM
What is truth? Is truth the same with knowledge. Can always find truth through wisdom? For
this module, we will have an overview of the different versions of truth and its comparison
with knowledge and wisdom. We will also analyze Bertrand Russell’s charge of futility to
understand the importance of philosophy.

Learning Objectives:
A. analyze the importance of philosophy through the charge of futility;
B. describe the nature of philosophy;
C. distinguish philosophical and non-philosophical questions; and
D. realize the importance of philosophy.

IS PHILOSOPHY POINTLESS?

Bertrand Russell examined the value of

Philosophy through the Charge of
Futility. It is the assertion that
Philosophy is a futile (pointless) activity
because of the following reasons:

1. Indefiniteness of philosophy with

regard to the answers that it
provides to philosophical
questions - Simply, this means
philosophy does not provide final
answer to the questions that it
deals with, for the answer it offers
differ from one philosopher to
another; and there seems to be
no objective war to determine
whose answer is better. It is
thought that philosophizing would
lead to nowhere.
2. Impracticality of philosophy - It is thought that the activity of philosophizing has no
practical benefits and does not help us satisfy our material needs such as those related
to the nourishment of our body.

RESPONSE TO THE INDEFINITENESS OF PHILOSOPHY

Russell gave rebuttals to reasons pointing out the futility of philosophy. Let’s start with
indefiniteness by comparing sciences and philosophy. Scientific questions are questions
already known with some degree of certainty to be capable of being answered in a precise
and definite way. It has already been established that there is a precise and objective
means of answering these questions. While philosophical questions are questions in which it
has not been established yet whether there is a precise and objective means of answering.
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 Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Human Person
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 3 - Philo Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

Most scientific questions did not start out as scientific questions. They started out as
philosophical questions, questions that were thought to be indefinitely answerable. The
reasons behind this include the unavailability of the technology that could test hypothesis
and the imprecise formulation of the questions. When philosophy deals with scientific
questions (indefinitely answerable questions), one primary goal is precisely to determine
whether such questions can be eventually become scientific – whether they could
eventually become scientific. In short, philosophy does the preliminary work for science in
finding definite answers to certain questions. And so, if we value science for the definiteness
of its answers to the questions that it deals with, the more we should value philosophy for
making it possible for science to deal with such problems.

RESPONSE TO THE IMPRACTICALITY OF PHILOSOPHY

With regard to the charge of being an impractical activity, it is true that philosophy does not
satisfy our material needs. But Russell explains, this is only because philosophy is focused on
satisfying another kind of valuable human needs: the need of the mind. Some tools of
philosophy such as logic and skills of critical thinking, can also be used to address questions
directly related to the satisfaction of our material needs. In sum, the charge that philosophy
is a futile activity because if its impracticality is wrong in two ways:
1. Material things are not the only valuable concerns - It is simply wrong to limit what is
valuable in life to the satisfaction of our material concern. Our nonphysical needs and
needs for our mind are equally valuable.
2. Mental needs are linked to material need - It is wrong that addressing our mental needs
cannot satisfy our material needs. Satisfying our material needs would require adequate
reasoning skills which is provided by philosophy.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF PHILOSOPHY
In addition, Philosophy achieved remarkable
achievements throughout history. This simply
means that our engagement with philosophical
activity was never in vain. We achieved progress.
These achievements include the following:

1. Philosophy contributed to the development of

some disciplines or areas of knowledge.
• Ancient Period – Pre-Socratic philosophers
broke away from mythological explanations
of natural processes and started the methods
of explaining these processes in terms of
observing and reasoning (scientific method).
• Medieval Period – Philosophy contributed to
the strengthening of the foundations of
Christian theology.
• Modern Period – Philosophers (Descartes, Hume, Kant, among others) helped solidify the
foundations of science.
• Contemporary Period – Some philosophers (like Frege and Russell, Wittgenstein, Quine,
Carnap, among others) clarified and justified certain features of the foundations of
mathematics.

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 Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Human Person
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 3 - Philo Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

2. Philosophy through its investigations in the area of ethics, provides ethical guidelines for
the use of modern technology. With the invention of modern technology, new ethical
issues arise. Such examples are:
• Computer sciences – piracy, cyber bullying, hacking, pornography etc.
• Biology – gender selection, genetic mutation, sex-change, surrogacy etc.
• Biomedicine – stem cells, blood transfusion, human cloning, human and animal
experimentation, medical marijuana, abortion
• Business sector – usury, advertisements, intellectual and property rights, networking

3. Philosophy through its investigations in the area of social and political philosophy, has
significantly contributed to social transformation and the modern concept of
government. An example is our present concept of democracy, constitutional
approaches (the principle of separation of powers, principle of check and balance),
jurisprudence, and etc.

4. Philosophy continues to explore what is possible and consequently expand the

boundaries of knowledge or of what we can know. It is for us to get insights about human
condition in terms of the limits of what we can know about ourselves and the world
around us. Also, it is to keep our sense of wonder, or our amazement with the world alive.

TRUTH
We earlier noted that one of the essential traits of a wise person is that he/she is aware of
his/her ignorance. This means that he/she knows when they either know or do not know.
What is it that we know or do not know? The truth. Being wise involves knowing the truth and
knowing when we do not know it. Philosophy as love of wisdom is considered as a search for
truth. Truth is a kind of property; the opposite is falsity.

THEORIES OF TRUTH
The different theories of truth provide us with insights as to how we can find out that one
statement has the element of truth and falsity.

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 Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Human Person
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12
Module 3 - Philo Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

1. Coherence Theory – Proposes that something is true if it makes sense when placed in a
certain situation or context. This could lead to varied truths from different perspectives. An
idea or statement is true because it makes sense in its own context and that it has a
certain degree of consistency which renders it truthful.
*Relativism – A philosophical concept which contends that there are no absolute truths. An
idea or principle is only true within a particular context and thus, it is possible for alternative
truths to exist in various contexts or situations.
*Example: “All apples are red.” (This is wrong according to coherence because not all
places have red apples).

2. Correspondence Theory – Has to do with the correspondence or alignment of knowledge

claims being made with the state of affairs in the world. Different philosophers depending
on their philosophical inclinations would have different interpretations of what this state of
affairs should be. The theory assumes that there is something given outside, in the realm of
sense experience that we perceive as an objective reality. Our perceptions become the
basis for verifying something as true or false about the world.
*Example: “The cat is meowing.” (This becomes true when you actually hear the cat
producing a meow sound).

3. Constructivist Theory – Holds that knowledge is shaped by social forces and influenced by
culture and history. What is true or what a person considers true, is shaped by his society
and culture. It also believes that knowledge is gained as part of social experience and
requires interaction and collaboration. It is also possible for knowledge and truth to
change as influenced by historical developments and social struggles.
*Example: “It is okay to have many wives as long as you can provide for them.” (This is true
for cultures that accepts polygamy)

4. Consensus Theory – Views knowledge as based on agreement and that something is true
if almost everyone agrees that it is true. Certain beliefs, traditions, and practices are often
the product of consensus as they may be imposed by the influential groups or institutions
such as governments or religious organizations.
*Example: “Sir Resu is a loyal jowa.” (This becomes true if everyone agrees or there is a
general agreement that it is true).

5. Pragmatic Theory of Truth – Holds the view that something is true if we can put it into
practice or is useful in real life. It also believes that ideas should be continually tested to
confirm their validity.
*Verificationism – considers that ideas must be verified using the senses or experience.
*Example: “Ponds men is a good facial wash for men.” (This is true if it is tested continually
and the results shows positive effects on the face).

REFERENCES:
• Sioco, M. & Vinzons, I. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City:
VIbal Group, Inc.
• Ramos, Christine Carmela. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of Human Person. Manila,
Philippines: Rex Book Store

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