What is philosophy?

This essay is in the form of a dialogue between a game-show host and 2 guests.

Humbert Humbert (the host):

And finally, for 100 points - and remember points mean prizes - what is philosophy?

H.H:

I'm going to have to press you�

Bill (Guest 1):

Err, Is it thinking about questions science hasn't answered�

H.H: (with his hand to his ear piece)

I'm - afraid - I can't take that, sorry, I'll pass it over to Ben for 50 points, Ben, can you tell me what philosophy is?

Ben (Guest 2):

If I remember correctly, it's the pursuit & acquisition of wisdom and knowledge.

H.H: (again, listening to his ear piece)

I'm sorry, it's a good answer but I can't take it. Philosophy is a Greek word, which means "The Love of Wisdom", and as Bertrand Russell once said "Philosophy is the no-man's land between science and theology, open to attack from both sides." Thank you and good night, I'm Humbert Humbert, and you've been watching "The Quiz Show".

Bill:

I can't believe that last question, how was anyone supposed to get that?

Ben:

I don't think we were, my answer was pretty accurate, but there are so many answers to that question, it would be pot luck to get the one he wanted, the chances of two people coming up with the same answers is pretty minimal, its all about personal choice really, taking a second look at the everyday things around you and coming to your own conclusions.

Bill:

But isn't that saying that other people's ideas are worthless, and that we can't learn from history?

Ben:

No - not at all. Philosophers use history, but they don't necessarily accept that the thinkers of the past are right. Just as Newton's theory of gravity is no longer considered to be right, it's still close enough to be helpful. Philosophy generally tries to answer the questions that science can't - or won't, the great philosophers have often upset important people, even to the extent of being executed.

Ben: (to H.H.)

So what would have got me the 50 points then?

H.H.:

I'm afraid that there is no right answer to that question, what philosophy is, is an enigma, a philosophical question in its self, the modern philosophers of today still give varied and interesting answers when pressed to define it. I would say philosophy is anything that a philosopher would care to think about, and a philosopher is someone who thinks about the unthinkable, questions the unquestionable, and - tries to - answer the unanswerable.

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