The conditions of philosophy

the long version

Is philosophy in its dotage? Is it bankrupt and no longer deserving of the respect that is accorded science? Or is it still in infancy? As major intellectual enterprises in our Western civilization, science and philosophy have had equally long careers, going back to their simultaneous beginnings more than 2,500 years ago. The last 300 years have brought science to high public esteem for its methods, its accomplishments, and its usefulness. But in that same 300 years the methods, accomplishments, and usefulness of philosophy have come, more and more, to be questioned - by philosophers themselves as well as by the public.