Does a partner make a better spouse if he or she has a deeper passion for philosophy???

Question

If so, why? Thanks for any helpful comments!

Answer 1

I studied philosophy formally, and plan to have my career within the discipline. I can attest from personal experience, as my girl-friend of four years is such that she has a real distaste for philosophy. In some sense, I think it is good. While I am reading, and writing essays and attempting to develop theses, and I ask for her opinion, she is either completely disinterested, does not understand (not because it is so difficult, rather because academic-philosophy gets very technical, esp. all the symbolic-logic) or she has no real original insights into a philosophically perplexing problem. However, this is not her fault, as the deeper you get into academic-philosophy, the harder it is for an "outsider" to provide anything remotely close to deep insight into a philosophically perplexing problem...Any way, it gives us something to have for ourselves (like a hooby or what-not) that is exciting to share with them, because they (she in my case) does not know much about what I am working on, but knows more than the lay-person. It can make for interesting disputes, but often it makes annoying disputes, as far as she is concerned (we do not really argue, we just *quibble* here and there).

I think a passion for something is just good in itself - it need not be philosophy per se'. It can be science, or mathematics, or art, or dancing, or film critique, or caring for people and animals - it really is about those qualities a person has as being that very person that you like. A person who has passion for something, including *you,* given they are a spouse, is wonderful, it seems to me... Passion for anything is hard to come by, and we ought to be greatful to have a passionate person part of our lives at all.

While my girl-friend has a distaste for philosophy, she likes that I am passionate about the discipline. Furthermore, she (or anyone for that matter) would not necessarily make a better partner just because she was passionate for philosophy like my self - I hold that a passion for anything I can conceivably deem good is itself good to be passionate about, and thereby makes them a better partner in-a-way.

p.s. I think that two philosophers who are married to each other is a bit like when any spouses share the same job. It can get odd, im sure. I know a few couples who both share academic-style jobs and it seems to go well for them... In any case, I think personality and character is a much larger factor here, rather than what a person does for a living. Two philosophers who are married to each other wouldn't necessarily be aimlessly talking all day either, as that would be exhausting; philosophers do more than this - they are people.

Well, my answer is largely personal, & I hope it was the least-bit insightful!

Answer 2

Yes, I have seen my grandparents were following their own stubborn Philosophy in life. When they clash, Its either like clash of the titans or a silent war that seems to lasts the whole year long and certainly that yes they were both masters of Philosophy by their professions.

However as for myself, I would say a partner will make even much of a better spouse if he will have a deeper passion to me! Then, that would

d**n Philo..

Great Day!

Answer 3

For me yes, but everyone is different. I have many female friends that aren't all that philosophical. In fact that seems to have been the case as long as I can remember. I'm sometimes hard pressed to find someone that thinks as deeply about things as I sometimes do.

Answer 4

Only if both of them do.

Answer 5

It doesn't make a big difference in the grand scheme of things.  If you're not into philosophy there will be a whole part of her life that you will never understand and will maybe divorce/break up, but if you at least approach the subject with curiosity and an open mind you have a good chance for things to last.

There's no such thing as "moderate philosophy"  Either you approach questions and issues from a philosophical perspective, or you don't.  It would be like being "moderately pregnant."

Answer 6

If the other spouse also has a passion for philosophy because then they'll always have something to talk about.  If not his/her constant questioning of all aspects of life will drive his/her spouse insane.

Answer 7

yes, because in the aspect of someone having a deep passion for philosophy they also have a more open mind to new ideas. Furthermore they also have a higher capacity to bring new ideas to the table on how to deal with a problem or make things more interesting.  

Answer 8

I think that a shared passion is one of the things that makes for a generally happy relationship, whether or not that's philosophy.

However, if philosophy is your passion, the ability to support you in your passion makes for a very good partner. You must also support your partner's passion. This doesn't mean you need to adopt it; merely that you accept that this is what your partner is about.

Answer 9

No I don't think so. I think it makes for too many arguments and far too many conversations into the early morning. It gets tiresome after a while. The novelty wears off, there is no shine to it anymore, all the talking begins to sound like it always had for the last few years and boredom with the same old, same old creeps in.

All I can see in that kind of passion is a spouse who really needs to get out and get a life.

Don't get me wrong here, philosophy is a good subject but the way you've presented your question I get the feeling that nothing but DEEP THINKING is all that matters in the daily chores of living and the reality is that ... more often than not small talk is on the agenda for a good reason and all the philosophies in the world is just going to interrupt life like a constant drip you can't get away from.

There is a balance to everything and moderation is a key to a healthy life.