How different was the approach towards philosophy throughout history? Specifically in Western (what can be categorized as Western) societies. Take for example ancient Greece and Rome, did philosophical schools influence the politics or people? Or during the middle ages, when Christianity was favored over pagan philosophies, how much did it actually affect? The treaties during the enlightenment era?
What I'm basically asking is how much did philosophy actually matter in shaping the zeitgeist? And how was philosophy expressed? By expressed, take for example two contemporary philosophical fashions, schools of thought - call it whatever you like:
"Social Justice" (not just feminism) and the "Redpill".
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Well shit my other half of the post didn't copy and I can't be assed to write it all down again. But what I'm asking is basically, how come the aforementioned world views, whether you agree them to be philosophies or not, affect public discourse (on the internet and/or IRL), and "Social Justice" affecting academia, school systems and public opinion, while actual philosophers do not? inb4 Zizek, what he says hardly influences anything.
I suppose this is partially due to viral media, you no longer need to write a well thought out book or essay, all you need is a blog and a keyboard or a camera and a youtube account, and, like magic, you suddenly affect public opinion more than any philosopher.
Might add later something else that I maybe forgot from my original post
anyway discuss
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>>583845
>affect public discourse (on the internet and/or IRL), and "Social Justice" affecting academia, school systems and public opinion
While having no coherent work or "the" book behind it. Obviously it's because it's widespread and appealing ideas, but that's the thing, did a situation like this occur in the past as well?
You have a philosopher jerking off in the dark writing some would be brilliant idea, say Plato, Schopenhauer or Locke (just a random example) but his ideas don't reflect his contemporary society.
>>583845
Intellectual discourse is shaped mainly by salaried, professional intellectuals. Actual philosophers tend to lie outside that narrow sphere/clique.
Intellectuals and academics have historically drifted towards socialism and social justice because of a desire to inhabit and design societies where the talents of the intellectual/academic will always be in demand:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPJWwiKnYGs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnMd40dqBlQ
In ancient Greece, politicians would consult directly with philosophers.
>>583952
lol no
they would bicker and often clobber one another in the streets
politicians and philosophers are mortal enemies
