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Professor of PhilosophyRon Moore believes that young people in this country“have a real stake in thinking about philosophy. Beforethey’re occupied with making and spending money, youngpeople should be exploring these issues that affect us all.”An associate professor of philosophy at the University ofWashington in Seattle, Moore says it’s important for people to debate the meritsof important concepts such as beauty, justice, and morality.“The word ‘philosophy’ means ‘love of wisdom,’” Moore says. “Philosopherstry to develop strong, clear justifications for their beliefs and then weave thosejustifications into schemes for understanding the world around them.”While attorneys practice law, philosophers reflect on the nature of law, justice,judicial decision making, punishment, and fairness. These issues have far-reachingeffects on who we are and how we function as a society.Moore notes that good philosophers do more than argue their own point ofview—they also can argue the opposite point of view.“Philosophers are fascinated by ideas,” he says, “and are able to weighseveral points of view. They take delight in sometimes being found wrong.”He adds that philosophers are concerned with more than just abstractthinking. They also think about the real-world effects of their arguments andbeliefs, and ask themselves, “What happens to the world if my ideas are right?”Moore believes that in the past, many of our finest Supreme Court justiceswere more than just brilliant lawyers—they were also philosophers of law.“They were concerned with listening to and weighing all the sides of anargument,” he says, “as well as the effects of their decisions. They carefully consideredall the issues involved with tough issues such as what constitutes cruel andunusual punishment, what are the boundaries of privacy, and when to abandonsegregation.”SkillsPersonalityEducationShould know something about the content and practice oflaw; must be able to marshal evidence in support of anargument and draw conclusions; write a clear and convincingargumentCurious about the world; puzzled and fascinated by “the bigquestions”; patient, open-minded, and logicalTo teach philosophy at the university level, must have aPh.D. and probably some training in law, art, or anothersubject specialtyFor more information on philosophers of law, visit ubpl.glencoe.comor your public library.Chapter 26: Collecting Negotiable Instruments 565