Has there been progress in philosophy?
I argue that we live in an anti-philosophy era. I&#x27;m not sure this will change in our lifetimes, but I think it will necessarily change if we survive for long enough.<p>To illustrate: there is common belief that metaphysics became irrelevant -- that it was replaced by science. This is, in itself, a metaphysical position, and a misunderstand about what science is and does. Of course, reasoning about what science is and does is part of philosophy. So is the discussion of knowledge itself, what is knowable and how can we trust the various methods of seeking more knowledge. A lot of stuff surrounding these topics happened in the XX century.<p>The acritical use of the yardstick of &quot;progress&quot; as the ultimate value for everything (along with its little cousin: &quot;productivity&quot;) is, in itself, a philosophical position. One that is currently maintained by social norms and authority. Which does not mean it is &quot;wrong&quot;. I am only claiming that it is accepted by most people without any reflection.<p>Some boundaries of scientific knowledge are quite visible. For example, consciousness. You might argue that consciousness emerges from matter interacting in a complex way (emergentism), and you might be right, but this is accepted as a serious scientific theory although it has zero content -- no way to falsify empirically, no explanatory mechanism proposed.<p>Real philosophy is a very subversive endeavor at the moment. Perhaps it always was. It&#x27;s something for those who love knowledge, but not for those who expect any public recognition.