Volume 14, Issue 2, Fall 2007
Michael Krom
Pages 30-38
The Relevance of Contemplation
Aristotle on the Philosopher and the Common Good
In this essay I seek an ancient yet timeless answer to a perennial question: What is the role of the philosopher in society and in what way are those who commit themselves to philosophical endeavors relevant and perhaps even necessary for communities? What I offer for our consideration is an Aristotelian understanding of the nature of philosophy and its relevance to society. This conception hinges upon maintaining that philosophy is a contemplative activity pursued for its own sake: philosophy must be shown to be good for society, not by becoming a handmaiden to society, but on its own merit as a theoretical pursuit of wisdom. I conclude by briefly considering the extent to which Aristotle’s model can speak to our own pluralistic society and to a philosophical community that does not necessarily agree with him concerning the nature of philosophy. My hope is that by doing so I will have contributed to the ongoing dialogue concerning the role of the philosopher in the contemporary world.