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Three Questions We Never Stop Asking
This excellent introduction to the essential issues that have preoccupied philosophers throughout the centuries provides fresh and engaging portraits of the greatest thinkers on three perennial can I know? What may I hope? What ought I to do? The author summarizes the thoughts ofPlato and Wittgenstein on the possibility of philosophical knowledge; Kant and Nietzsche on the existence of God; Aristotle and Heidegger on human virtue. The first member of the pair is a builder, the second a destroyer. One explores the promise of a theory, the other the consequences of its ruin. These juxtaposed pairs are not self-contained, however. All six thinkers are engaged in a dialogue with one another on issues that touch our lives directly and profoundly. The author has arranged them in an order that unveils an ever-deepening understanding of the moral, spiritual and intellectual space in which our lives unfold.For anyone wishing to discover, or rediscover, philosophy in its original meaning-"the love of wisdom"-this engaging, clearly written, and accessible volume is an excellent place to start.
- GenresPhilosophyNonfiction
282 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 12, 2019
Philosophy is a tricky subject to pin down; even professional philosophers debate the nature of their own field. There is therefore little consensus on the best way to teach philosophy or convey its relevance to the general reader. Some philosophers think the subject is best taught as a historical narrative, while others opt for a nonlinear thematic overview.
Michael Kellogg, in Three Questions We Never Stop Asking, takes a slightly different approach. Kellogg maintains that philosophy, despite its long history and complexity, can be said to seek answers to three simple, core questions originally formulated by Immanuel Kant:
1. What can I know?
2. What may I hope?
3. What ought I to do?
All of us—even those not normally philosophically inclined—must face these questions sooner or later, or else allow others to answer them for us. The choice is therefore between intellectual independence (the path of philosophy) or submission to dogma and conformity.
Kellogg provides the groundwork for the reader to work through these questions independently. By presenting the contrary views of two philosophers for each question, the reader has no choice but to “do philosophy” as they are placed within the tension of the competing views, left to decide which argument is more persuasive, or if some alternative position or compromise is more reasonable.
In the first part, titled “What Can I Know?”, Kellogg contrasts the views of Plato and Ludwig Wittgenstein regarding the nature of knowledge and the purpose of philosophy. Whereas Plato conceives of philosophy in the positive sense, in that we can use reason to discover truths about the world hidden from our senses, Wittgenstein conceives of philosophy in a largely negative sense, in that philosophical problems can be “dissolved” once we recognize that they result only from a misconception regarding the proper use of language. The open question is whether, and to what extent, philosophy is useful beyond the clarification of “linguistic confusion.”
In part two, titled “What May I Hope?”, Immanuel Kant is set against Friedrich Nietzsche concerning the existence of God. While Kant does not believe in a personal God—and is hostile to all organized religion—he nevertheless relies on the existence of a pantheistic God to ground his duty-bound moral theory. Nietzsche, on the other hand, proclaims the death of God (or, more precisely, the death of the belief in God), rejects all rule-based morality, and sets to establish a new conception of morality based on living authentically according to one’s highest ideals and potential. The open question is whether or not humanity requires a God and the prospect of immortality or if it can find its own purpose and meaning.
In part three, titled “What Ought I To Do?”, Kellogg contrasts the views of Aristotle with Martin Heiddegger. Whereas Aristotle conceives of a common human nature that we can leverage via reason to develop virtue and live the good life, Heidegger denies a common human nature and asserts that language and culture ultimately stand in the way of authentic being. (I’ll admit, I don’t fully understand Heiddegger. Either this is a deficiency in my understanding or Heidegger is largely talking nonsense. The reader can decide.)
There is no question that Three Questions We Never Stop Asking is not an objective account of philosophy, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Kellogg is basically taking the reader through his own progression in answering the three questions of philosophy through the prism of six philosophers he values most highly. For what it is, it is an exceptional read and introduction to the field, full of clear explanations and insights. I especially enjoyed the section on Neitzsche, as it laid out a more charitable expression of his views as an ethical stance, not a political one.
With that said, some readers may question his selection of philosophers, and his assertion that, along with Wittgenstein, that Heidegger is the greatest philosopher of the twentieth century. Indeed, the book would look very different if told through a different set of philosophers.
For the question “What can I know?”, I might have contrasted Plato with Karl Popper rather than Wittgenstein; for the question “What can I hope?”, I would have contrasted Kant with John Stuart Mill; and for the question “What ought I to do?”, I might have substituted the Stoics, Epicureans, or even Sartre for Heidegger. Other readers may have other preferences, but I think a better story could have been told. (And Kellogg could have at least suggested some additional reading beyond the six philosophers)
But I guess that’s not really the point; this isn’t my story to tell, it’s Kellogg’s, and understanding how he views each of the six philosophers shows how he ultimately conceives of the subject. The reader can disagree—and is in fact encouraged to disagree—and should continue to pursue answers to each question. This is, of course, Kellogg’s other major point: that the ultimate sin against philosophy is not getting the questions wrong; it’s to think you’ve gotten the questions right for all time.
Michael Kellogg, in Three Questions We Never Stop Asking, takes a slightly different approach. Kellogg maintains that philosophy, despite its long history and complexity, can be said to seek answers to three simple, core questions originally formulated by Immanuel Kant:
1. What can I know?
2. What may I hope?
3. What ought I to do?
All of us—even those not normally philosophically inclined—must face these questions sooner or later, or else allow others to answer them for us. The choice is therefore between intellectual independence (the path of philosophy) or submission to dogma and conformity.
Kellogg provides the groundwork for the reader to work through these questions independently. By presenting the contrary views of two philosophers for each question, the reader has no choice but to “do philosophy” as they are placed within the tension of the competing views, left to decide which argument is more persuasive, or if some alternative position or compromise is more reasonable.
In the first part, titled “What Can I Know?”, Kellogg contrasts the views of Plato and Ludwig Wittgenstein regarding the nature of knowledge and the purpose of philosophy. Whereas Plato conceives of philosophy in the positive sense, in that we can use reason to discover truths about the world hidden from our senses, Wittgenstein conceives of philosophy in a largely negative sense, in that philosophical problems can be “dissolved” once we recognize that they result only from a misconception regarding the proper use of language. The open question is whether, and to what extent, philosophy is useful beyond the clarification of “linguistic confusion.”
In part two, titled “What May I Hope?”, Immanuel Kant is set against Friedrich Nietzsche concerning the existence of God. While Kant does not believe in a personal God—and is hostile to all organized religion—he nevertheless relies on the existence of a pantheistic God to ground his duty-bound moral theory. Nietzsche, on the other hand, proclaims the death of God (or, more precisely, the death of the belief in God), rejects all rule-based morality, and sets to establish a new conception of morality based on living authentically according to one’s highest ideals and potential. The open question is whether or not humanity requires a God and the prospect of immortality or if it can find its own purpose and meaning.
In part three, titled “What Ought I To Do?”, Kellogg contrasts the views of Aristotle with Martin Heiddegger. Whereas Aristotle conceives of a common human nature that we can leverage via reason to develop virtue and live the good life, Heidegger denies a common human nature and asserts that language and culture ultimately stand in the way of authentic being. (I’ll admit, I don’t fully understand Heiddegger. Either this is a deficiency in my understanding or Heidegger is largely talking nonsense. The reader can decide.)
There is no question that Three Questions We Never Stop Asking is not an objective account of philosophy, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Kellogg is basically taking the reader through his own progression in answering the three questions of philosophy through the prism of six philosophers he values most highly. For what it is, it is an exceptional read and introduction to the field, full of clear explanations and insights. I especially enjoyed the section on Neitzsche, as it laid out a more charitable expression of his views as an ethical stance, not a political one.
With that said, some readers may question his selection of philosophers, and his assertion that, along with Wittgenstein, that Heidegger is the greatest philosopher of the twentieth century. Indeed, the book would look very different if told through a different set of philosophers.
For the question “What can I know?”, I might have contrasted Plato with Karl Popper rather than Wittgenstein; for the question “What can I hope?”, I would have contrasted Kant with John Stuart Mill; and for the question “What ought I to do?”, I might have substituted the Stoics, Epicureans, or even Sartre for Heidegger. Other readers may have other preferences, but I think a better story could have been told. (And Kellogg could have at least suggested some additional reading beyond the six philosophers)
But I guess that’s not really the point; this isn’t my story to tell, it’s Kellogg’s, and understanding how he views each of the six philosophers shows how he ultimately conceives of the subject. The reader can disagree—and is in fact encouraged to disagree—and should continue to pursue answers to each question. This is, of course, Kellogg’s other major point: that the ultimate sin against philosophy is not getting the questions wrong; it’s to think you’ve gotten the questions right for all time.
January 17, 2014
Great book. If you're looking for a line right into the center of western philosophy but can't be bothered with the bores that are philosophy majors/professors, this is a must read. Clear, concise, and actually enjoyable to read.
January 11, 2021
This offered me much more than I expected. Such an intelligent overview/comparison/contrasting of the greatest philosophies, in a way that lends itself to a reader who is searching for their own “rock” by which to guide their existence. Looking back on my philosophy education in the academic setting, each of these ideas were presented to me by philosopher but were never set up alongside each other, except in my bioethics coursework, which was limited to philosophy in the realm of the health sciences. In short, I needed this to help me reconcile a bunch of separate ideas I’ve had rattling around in my brain for quite some time. And this will be one of the few books which I read again in the future, I’m sure. Highly recommend.
August 7, 2023
Despite the author's best efforts, Wittgenstein and Heidegger remain inscrutable. But the other four chapters read much better, and I'd like to re-read this one day if I ever decide to explore the primary sources.
November 25, 2022
THREE QUESTIONS WE NEVER STOP ASKING is an enlightening and thought-provoking exploration of the three questions that, according to Kellogg, all people continually ask: What Can I Know? What May I Hope? What Ought I To Do?
The book is divided into three sections, each one exploring one of the three questions. And in each section, Kellogg chooses two philosophers who offer differing (often opposing) perspectives on the question under consideration.
In the section on “What Can I Know?”, Kellogg looks at the views of Plato and Wittgenstein. He then proceeds to explore the views of Hume and Kant in the section on “What May I Hope?” before ending off with a discussion of the opinions of Aristotle and Heidegger in relation to “What Ought I To Do?”.
Kellogg does an admirable job of examining each philosopher's views, giving context where needed and managing to explore some complex concepts in an accessible way, making the book suitable for a wide range of readers — from philosophy students to casual readers looking for something interesting and challenging.
Overall, THREE QUESTIONS WE NEVER STOP ASKING is a fresh, inspiring, and fascinating work that helps us gain a deeper understanding of the questions that are at the heart of our lives. Highly recommended.
The book is divided into three sections, each one exploring one of the three questions. And in each section, Kellogg chooses two philosophers who offer differing (often opposing) perspectives on the question under consideration.
In the section on “What Can I Know?”, Kellogg looks at the views of Plato and Wittgenstein. He then proceeds to explore the views of Hume and Kant in the section on “What May I Hope?” before ending off with a discussion of the opinions of Aristotle and Heidegger in relation to “What Ought I To Do?”.
Kellogg does an admirable job of examining each philosopher's views, giving context where needed and managing to explore some complex concepts in an accessible way, making the book suitable for a wide range of readers — from philosophy students to casual readers looking for something interesting and challenging.
Overall, THREE QUESTIONS WE NEVER STOP ASKING is a fresh, inspiring, and fascinating work that helps us gain a deeper understanding of the questions that are at the heart of our lives. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2013
"What's it all about?" asked the cab driver to Bertrand Russell. Kellogg answers for him, let's "fashion our own meaning by engaging creatively with ambiguity and anxiety to forge new and better connections with the world and people." Kellogg lets the great philosophers wrestle and debate as they try to answer each other's arguments about the three questions. I was especially taken with the section on Kant and Nietzche.
Want to read
September 2, 2010I heard part of his talk at Politics & Prose last night and am looking forward to reading this.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews