Volume 2, Spring 2020
Brian J. Collins
Pages 72-87
https://doi.org/10.5840/p420204114
The Broad Nature and Importance of Public Philosophy
Many professional philosophers are hesitant about ¡°public philosophy¡±¡ªunsure about what it is and how it¡¯s done, and downright pessimistic about whether it is an important and valuable philosophical practice. In response to this hesitancy and in support of public philosophy, I argue that most of these philosophers already find at least one form of public philosophy important and valuable for the discipline and profession: teaching. I offer and defend a broad conception of public philosophy in order support this controversial claim. I continue by briefly offering some reasons to think that public philosophy is of value for society generally (i.e., ¡°the public¡±), and argue that we, as a profession, need to fully recognize our standing commitment to public-facing philosophical work; and to engage in serious discussion and debate to better examine the various types of public philosophy, clarify the broad range of public-facing activities, and encourage/reward further public work of value.