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I asked my students what had replaced in our modern society the role in ancient times played by philosophers. They said: Google (top answer) Scientists or science The President Social media Religion Historians (I laughed at this) Misc. examples of celebrity culture
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Even in "ancient times". When you read Aristophanes, Socrates and his ilk appear as a bunch of weirdos nobody likes. Of course there are cases like Marcus Aurelius, but in general, did philosophers ever have much impact on classical societies?
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I think philosophers have always had huge *impact*. They were just very rarely rewarded in proportion to it within their lifetimes, whether the impact was good or bad, they generally got something between nothing and death for their labors.
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