The biggest questions in life cannot be answered

Whereof one cannot answer, one must remain silent

Philosophy, at its core, is all about tackling the big questions. The meaning of life, the nature of being, good and evil… philosophy has wrestled with these problems for centuries. As our inquiries reach their crescendo, as our investigations are about to come to a head, we often find that the best response is to remain silent. Writes Mauricio Suarez.

 

“I ask: "Why should this essence exist? What results from the fact that it is and will be?" ... Philosophy not merely fails to answer, but all it does itself is to repeat the same question. And if it is genuine philosophy then the totality of its labour lies in the attempt to put this question clearly.” (Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, Confessions, Part V).

“And we may not advance any kind of theory. There must be nothing hypothetical in our considerations. We must do away with all explanation, and description alone must take its place”. (Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosophical Inves

Continue reading

Enjoy unlimited access to the world's leading thinkers.

Start by exploring our subscription options or joining our mailing list today.

Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber? Log in

Join the conversation