In “On The Value of Philosophy,” Bertrand Russell captures the essence of philosophy, arguing for its importance by stating that it has the capacity to enlarge our thoughts and free them from the tyranny of custom. According to Russell, philosophy does not provide us with absolute truths nor definitive answers but instead fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world, making us question the assumptions and norms that often restrict our understanding of reality. To defend this assertion, I will examine the works of two prominent philosophers, Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche.

Immanuel Kant, in his groundbreaking work, “The Critique of Pure Reason,” highlights the limitations of human reason in understanding the true nature of things. He posits that our knowledge of the world is shaped by our sensory experiences and the way our minds process these experiences, which in turn, follow certain fundamental structures or categories. The world, as we perceive it, is subject to these categories, but the actual nature of things, which Kant calls the “things-in-themselves,” remains unknowable to us (“Kant & the Synthetic A Priori,” 4:31-5:32).

“Apart from the empirical conditions of the existence of things as appearances,” Kant writes, “I can find nothing in any concept which could represent a necessary connection between appearances” (Critique of Pure Reason, A201/B246). This statement underlines the limits of human knowledge and supports Russell’s assertion that philosophy diminishes our feeling of certainty in what things are. Kant’s work encourages us to question our understanding of reality and consider the possibility that the world we perceive might not accurately represent the true nature of things.

The sense of wonder engendered by Kant’s work can be further witnessed in his practical philosophy, especially in the study of ethics. Kant’s ethical theory, known as the deontological ethics, emphasizes the importance of reason in moral decision-making. According to Kant, an action’s moral worth comes from the principle behind it, not its consequences. The moral agent must obey the categorical imperative – a universal moral principle that is rooted in rationality and can be applied in any context regardless of one’s inclinations or desires. By proposing a rational basis for ethics, Kant challenges our preconceived notions about morality and urges us to question existing customs and traditions that often hold sway over our moral judgments (“Kant’s Practical Philosophy,” 6:01-7:33).

The second philosopher I will discuss is Friedrich Nietzsche, whose revolutionary ideas about morality, society, and human nature contribute to our sense of wonder and enlivens our philosophical imaginations. In contrast to Kant, Nietzsche argues against the notion that reason and rationality are the primary driving forces behind human activity. Instead, he posits that our values and beliefs are shaped and influenced by forces far deeper than reason – forces such as the Will to Power, which Nietzsche believes governs all life (“Nietzsche, Tsar of All the Russias,” 2:30-3:00).

In his famous work, “Genealogy of Morals,” Nietzsche launches a scathing critique of traditional, Judeo-Christian morality, asserting that such values are products of resentment and self-hatred of “the weak,” who, unable to exercise their will to power, turn to moralizing as a way of vindicating themselves against “the strong.” This radical reevaluation of morality challenges our dearly-held beliefs and encourages us to contemplate possibilities beyond traditional ethics (Genealogy of Morals, Second Essay, 17).

Nietzsche’s work also brings into question the traditional conception of truth, arguing that our pursuit of truth is, in fact, the embodiment of the instinct of life, which can only ever reveal the world as it is constructed by our perspectives and embodied experiences. Nietzsche asks, “What is truth? A mobile army of metaphors, metonyms, and anthropomorphisms – in short, a sum of human relations, which have been enhanced, transposed, and embellished poetically and rhetorically, and which, after long use, seem firm, canonical, and obligatory to a people” (“On Truth and Lies in an Extra-Moral Sense,” 2). This quote underlines the limitations of our pursuit of truth while also casting doubt on the objective validity of these so-called “truths.”

In conclusion, the works of both Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche support Bertrand Russell’s assertion that philosophy, through its capacity to foster doubt and wonder, expands our understanding of reality and frees our thoughts from the tyranny of custom. Kant’s focus on the limits of human reason and knowledge, along with his exploration of ethics and rationality, encourages us to question our beliefs and challenge ingrained assumptions about the world. Nietzsche’s provocative thoughts on morality, truth, and human nature push us to reconsider the foundations of our values and reconsider what we ought to regard as “true” or “moral.” Both philosophers play an invaluable role in the continuous development of human thought, reminding us of the liberating power of philosophical inquiry.
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