Esoteric Protreptics

1.

Society will support whatever it values. Society does not support philosophy. Evidently, society does not value philosophy.

Philosophers should put all their efforts into demonstrating the value of what they do.

2.

The value of philosophy can only be seen by those who understand it. Few people understand philosophy. Consequently, few people can see the value of philosophy.

Philosophers should put all their efforts into enabling people to understand philosophy.

3.

Understanding philosophy requires significant philosophical education. Society will not support significant philosophical education. Consequently, philosophy is in serious trouble.

Determined to be dismissed as worthless good-for-nothings, philosophers should put all their efforts into learning how to be self-reliant, content with less, and indifferent to indifferent things. In short, they should put all their efforts into being philosophers.