Apologia

I stand before you today, my accusers, for you persecute me in my study of philosophy. I do not
know why your exact reasons for doing this I assume that it is because you do not understand my point
of view. All I can do now is defend myself to the best of my ability.
I admit to my study of philosophy, but I deny outright the accusation that it is a waste of time.
First of all, who are you to determine what a person does in her own time? Your accusation would have
been more plausible if I had been affecting your time by my own study of philosophy - the only time
wasted here is the time you took to persecute me.
Second, my study of philosophy breaks no laws. I harm no one in my study of it. Just because you
dont agree with what I do doesnt give you a right to persecute me, given that I have harmed no one and
you have no understanding of what philosophy to me is. In defending what I do, I will try to make you
understand what it is to me and why it is worth studying.
To define what philosophy is would be an arduous task it is one that would take an enormous
amount of time, and is futile in explaining philosophys entirety because philosophy in itself is too broad
to begin with. Philosophy deals with everything an unimaginable, ungraspable truth that we mere
humans can only try to explore. In this exploration of the majestic truth that is out there, our minds bring
about questions and these questions, in turn, bring an endless cycle of reflection, perhaps action, and
more questions. Since I cannot define what philosophy is, I will tell you of my experiences with it so that
you yourselves can see its worth to me.
Perhaps you disagree with my study of philosophy because there is a widespread notion that
philosophy has a lack of practical applications. Why would I waste my time studying philosophy, while I
could be developing a cure for cancer, or something of that scientific, empirical sort? Truth be told, the
degree program that I am enrolled in is heavily invested in mathematics and decision sciences. However,
there is a reason that the curriculum devised by my institution also contains a hefty load of liberal arts
courses. Philosophy, like other disciplines of the humanities, opens the mind to new possibilities. It is not
rigid or structured; the free-flowing ideas are the ones that cause the innovations of the most brilliant
minds, even scientists. In the sciences, I follow a strict format and use data that is proven to be true.
Thinking deeper, how did those facts become true to begin with? It started with the speculative thinking
that philosophy involves, and gradually became scientific knowledge. I am not saying that philosophy
leads to facts. I am saying that the sciences involve philosophical thinking in one way or another, so

philosophy should not be deduced as something completely worthless. When I am faced with a problem,
philosophical thinking gives me a multitude of starting points and helps me get to possible solutions
some of which that cannot spring from structured thinking.
Philosophy never imposes; it is your choice to agree with ideas or not. Those who believe in an
idea will not find it a waste of time. Unlike in the sciences where facts are laid upon simply because
empirical proofs are provided, philosophy has none. That is where the beauty of philosophy lies in its
uncertainty. By not having a universal belief to adhere to, I am free to make my own beliefs about the
world while taking into account numerous perspectives. In trying to understand what life is or my place
in it, I cannot rely on myself alone. The communication of people with similar and different ideas brings
about a rich melting pot of what it means to be human, and the pursuit of that unattainable truth is what
brings humanity together.
In my mind, there are two opposing forces: society and philosophy. I believe that the former is
why Im being persecuted today. A great number in todays society cannot seem to understand why
philosophers have to ask questions about what it means to be human. To them, it is a futile effort in which
the time spent could be used to do something productive. In my mind, that battle still resonates. There
are some concepts that are so difficult for me to grasp, and I find myself questioning why I even try in the
first place. However, philosophy pulls in the other direction - the prospect of gaining deeper insights
about something thats been itching at the back of my mind is strong as well. Human beings have
insatiable curiosity, and philosophy helps satisfy it.
You accuse me for wasting time in studying philosophy. I can only hope that my defense
convinces you otherwise. If not, then persecute me. Persecute me for wasting your time for not sufficiently
enabling you to see my point, not for wasting my own time in studying philosophy.

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