*whistles*

Is Philosophy dead? You, as in errantrogue, who started all this contemplation on the so-called highest of contemplations, called it "the eternal quest". Yeah, and Sic made a run-down of the history of "philosophy" with neat little classifications that I don't totally agree with, as I've been taught in the very strange tradition where "continental philosophy" is called "ancient/classical" philosophy and "modern philosophy" with the medieval just an extension of the classical, and "analytical philosophy" is just not even philosophy, and then we have the bombardment of the French theorist with their post-modern, hyperreal, critical bullshit babbling-- which isn't so bad, sometimes, but when I'm in my classical mode, I tend to deride it, and I just had a "Medieval Philosophy" discussion so I'm in a derisisve sort of mood.

Philosophy, etymologically, means "the love of wisdom". Wisdom is an eternal search, you're correct, but humanity is always trying to figure out what the fuck wisdom is. I figure the simple answer is that philosophy will die with the last philosopher, and I consider myself a philosopher (poor, nutty, and mentally and physically masturbates too much), so I'm still breathing and it's all good. But that would be too trite and demeaning. Current "modes" of philosophy claim that there can be no grand "big" philosophy anymore, we've already tried the unified theories of existence, replaced them with the multiplicitous theory of existence, and then replaced it with the nothingness theory of existence. We are left with the multiplicitous, wavering between many, and none, and one, turning ourselves towards distraction and absurdity in a world where wisdom seems to be less and less a concern. However, all so-called "great" philosophers always seem to thrive during times like these, so who knows, perhaps there'll be another great asshat to pick up the torch, and shine on.

I hope this infuses your mind with a little more hope and a little less jaded resignation, errantrogue. Philosophy can't die, dude, as long as there's still some people in the world who give a shit, who have reasonable mental capacities, and who are willing and ready to use 'em.

Briefly on science and religion, mentioned later on in the thread:
Chronologically, religion came "first", then philosophy, then science. In my explorations of all three, it appears that religion is salvific and/or community-based, science is knowledge-based, and philosophy is contemplation-based. However, there are many overlappings betwixt the three, because all are, in some way or another, paradigmatic, as in they're frameworks on how people see the world.

I can babble on s'more, but I've got a discussion on Rousseau in ten minutes, and the walking is a tad far. Also, I haven't read the entirety of the reading, especially the part for today, so I plan to be a true philosopher (despite it being a political science class), and bullshit my way through.

*salutes*
VIVA LA PHILOSOPHIA!