"The true function of philosophy is to educate us in the principles of reasoning and not to put an end to further reasoning by the introduction of fixed conclusions"

George Henry Lewes emphasizes that philosophy’s primary role lies in cultivating our reasoning abilities rather than dictating static answers or dogmas. Through philosophical inquiry, individuals learn to question, weigh evidence, and build arguments, skills essential for critical thinking in all spheres of life. Lewes suggests that philosophy should function as an ongoing process, a tool that stimulates active, thoughtful engagement with ideas, not as a source of final authorities that halt intellectual curiosity or debate.

By educating people in principles of reasoning, philosophy encourages the habit of self-examination and the willingness to entertain multiple perspectives. It is not about arriving at universally accepted truths that close off further discussion. Fixed conclusions can have the effect of stifling independent thought and curiosity, leading people to accept beliefs without scrutiny simply because they are presented as definitive. In contrast, true philosophical education teaches that one’s beliefs should be the product of careful reasoning, always open to challenge and revision as new arguments or evidence arise.

Lewes implicitly warns against the danger of dogmatism, the tendency to accept certain ideas as irrefutable. When philosophy is misused to justify dogma, it ceases to be a dynamic, living process and becomes an obstacle to intellectual growth. Instead, it should inspire humility and a recognition of the limits to knowledge. Philosophical reasoning seeks understanding, not the premature closure of inquiry.

Ultimately, Lewes advocates for an approach to philosophy that values questions as much as answers, engagement over certainty. By honing rational faculties rather than enforcing doctrines, philosophy becomes a lifelong guide for navigating complex and evolving realities. The pursuit of wisdom, not mere knowledge, remains philosophy’s lasting contribution, keeping the doors of reasoning open rather than closing them with unyielding conclusions.