Has it any moral realization of its responsibilities in the present world crisis? Can it say anything that is worthwhile and that will help humanity? What vital contribution does it offer to our generation? The answer to these questions is that philosophy is definitely alive to contemporary needs and extremely desirous of serving creatively. Although its votaries are primarily engaged upon spiritual studies, this does not mean that they must have a blank mind about other problems. They realize that their studies have an indirect bearing upon them too. However, the points of view being different, the conclusions are inevitably different too. For example, democracy says that public opinion should determine a government's course. Philosophy says that wisdom and virtue should determine it. At times, of course, the two coincide and then democracy is gloriously vindicated.
-- Notebooks Category 20: What Is Philosophy? > Chapter 4 : Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy > # 239
