Philosophy as abstract puzzles

Much of what is considered philosophy should be considered a thinking game. It is the fun and exciting manipulation of abstract thoughts in the same way that pure mathematics is. Some people delight in finding the squares of consecutive primes, or memorizing the digits of Pi. Other people might relish thinking about the meaning of “Freedom” or whether the Universe really exists.

In essence this is thought without a subject; it has no bearing on the real world. It does not seek to explain or elucidate, it will not lead to any different actions or any changes in our lives. Discussions of this kind are for entertainment. They are puzzles or riddles. Philosophy that falls into this camp, though, is difficult to distinguish from the kind that appears to discuss issues in the world. The trick is to spot the difference.