What makes a question philosophical?

A regular visitor to my philosophy cafe asked me this question after a session, saying knowing this will help him formulate questions to offer at future philosophy cafe sessions. Coincidentally, I had also thought about this very question during my Introduction to Philosophy course last year. Here is the answer I came up with.

A question is philosophical if it satisfies three conditions:

1. The question has not yet been answered by science.
2. There is more than one possible answer.
3. The question cannot be answered by conducting an experiment.

However, it does not follow from this that every philosophical question will be philosophically addressed. A very common practice is to immediately jump to an answer, and to tightly hold on to it against all objections. To philosophically address a question, one must:

1. Assume that the question can be answered.
2. Examine only the argument offered to support any proposed answer.
3. Separate the argument from the arguer.

I hope this will help all future participants of my philosophy cafe -- as well as everyone attempting clear thought.

END

Do beer ladies need a career path?

This is a report of my philosophy café session on 20 January 2010.

The question of the evening, selected as usual by a popular vote, is: “Do beer ladies need a career path?”

We begin by recognizing that the phrase “beer lady” does not refer to a specific person or job, but rather is a representative of a type of job, namely one whose shelf life is in concept limited by certain generally well known parameters. Another example of this type of job is “child star”. In both cases, the parameter is age.

Next, we define “career path” as “a set of jobs in a logical progression within the same industry or profession”.

Finally, we define “need”. A person needs a job when he or she would, if deprived of that job, languish in a state of despair.

Consider an entrepreneur. This job has a short shelf life, even though the entrepreneur cannot be fired from the job. If the business fails, the entrepreneur is no more. If the business succeeds, the entrepreneur becomes a manager. In either case, the entrepreneur has reached the end of his or her shelf life. There is no possible career path. Hence, the question must refer to an employee.

Employment occurs in an organization with a hierarchy, which makes career paths possible.

What about a lateral movement? Does it count as movement along a career path? Generally it does not, since there is no progression. However, if the lateral movements are part of a management plan for the given employee, then it is a career path.

An organizational hierarchy is needed to provide a rank, which is what enables an employee to do his or her job.

An employee needs a career path to provide motivation.

Beer ladies are not part of a hierarchy, hence they have no motivation. Not so.

First, in certain establishments, even beer ladies can be part of a hierarchy. They can become senior beer ladies, or even managers of beer ladies. We have in mind especially F&B establishments.

Second, it is possible to have motivation without a hierarchy. Increased cash revenue is also a strong motivator. Hence, a hierarchy is not needed; a career path is not needed.

So, where do beer ladies go when they hit their job parameters? They can take advantage of unplanned opportunities. There is no set path for them to follow; instead they travel a flexible path that responds to the moment in time.

Beer ladies do not need a career path; a series of jobs will serve them just as well.

Our question is answered.


Philosophy café sessions are held every third Wednesday of each month at Nook, 15 Chu Lin Road, 8-10pm. All persons with enquiring minds are welcome. It’s free admission, but personal expenses for food and drink. Oh, also free parking. Our next philosophy café session will be on 17 February 2010.