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TK asked:
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Mathematicians and physicists generally do their most creative work early in their careers. Do
philosophers suffer the same fate? Why? What does this mean then to a senior citizen recently
interested in philosophy who has taken his shoe off to dip his foot in the Philosophy Lake only to
quickly withdraw it finding that he had left his sock on?
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The most notable case of a philosopher who only got into his creative stride in his 50's is Immanuel
Kant, who published the first edition of the Critique of Pure Reasonat the age of 57. Kant is by no
means an exception to examples of the productivity of philosophers in their middle to advancing
years. In view of the contrast with mathematicians and physicists, this is a fact which requires
explanation.
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There is no doubt that the loss of mental speed that arises with the passage of the years is a
handicap in anyintellectual discipline. The evidence seems to suggest that the loss of speed has the
greatest negative effect on the ability to do creative work in mathematics, and disciplines which rely
heavily on mathematics such as physics.
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Philosophers are trained to follow the logic of arguments. That does require a certain mental agility.
They are also called upon to exercise their powers of judgement. Now, to take a complex set of
considerations for and against and make sense of it, to see the wood rather than being lost amongst
the trees, is a quality prized in Judges. Age is not considered to be a handicap on the bench. One the
contrary, we would be worried if Judges were appointed in their early 20's. Why should it be so
surprising, therefore, if philosophers continue their creative output well into their advancing years?
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Learners of retirement age have many advantages over students fresh out of high school. They have
a lifetime of experience to call upon; a greater ability to question what they are taught and refuse to
have the wool pulled over their eyes; the self-confidence that comes from having successfully
navigated their course through life, despite the disappointments and setbacks that each one of us
must face at some time or other. You have lots of things going for you. My advice is, don't worry
about getting your socks wet. Wade in with your boots on!
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Geoffrey Klempner
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