By I,Max. http://www.flickr.com/photos/_imax/126046432/

Bertrand Russell says it in The Problems of Philosophy, but I can’t seem to confirm the truth of this, so I’m inclined to think I made it up. You’ll find any number of online surveys, such as this one, asking you if you agree or disagree with the expression.  If you’d been around in, say, 1867, when the Journal of Speculative Philosophy began publication, you would have  found it on the masthead of the journal.

The claim seems to appear in print for the first time in the writings of one Georg Philipp Friedrich von Hardenberg, the philosopher-novelist also known as Novalis. Novalis managed to accomplish an awful lot, given that he died of tuberculosis at 28: he left an impressive collection of (fragmentary, unfinished) philosophical writings and letters, as well as two prose novels and a prose poem. He also left us with the assertion  that ““Philosophy cannot bake bread—however, it can provide us with God, freedom and immortality—now which is more practical—philosophy or economics?”

What you won’t find on google is much counterevidence to Novalis’s claim. But all that is about to change, as the 2009 graduates of the philosophy department take the baking world by storm.

Kate and her apprentice, up to their elbows in philosophy

Caleb Phillips has set out to put the lie to it, in his new blog, “Philosophy that Bakes Bread.” (Google THAT expression and all you’ll find is Caleb.) Find Caleb and his oat wheat bread recipe here. And Kate Goodpaster can be found this summer at the River Rock Cafe, earrrrrrrrly in the morning, baking all manner of bready objects, to the delight of the denizens of St. Peter.

A 1965 issue of Time magazine hauled out the old chestnut  about philosophy and bread in an article promising to answer that ancient question, “What (If Anything) to Expect from Today’s Philosophers.”  From some of us at least, you can expect, well, bread. Here’s some I baked today, in fact.

The Rev. Paul Tidemann (’60) provided us with a written copy of his remarks.

Shel Silvernal (’90) discussed the ways in which her life as a philosophy major are deeply connect to her present life as a labor and delivery nurse at Hennepin County Medical Center, a setting in which she has the opportunity to give women “the best care she is capable of giving them.”

Tad Marinac (’87) described the ethical challenges he faces as an appraiser–one of fifty in the state of Minnesota who holds the title of MAI (Member of the Appraisal Institute). In these troubled and troubling financial times, Tad may find himself the one who must “walk into an institution and say ‘it’s time to turn off the lights and lock the door.’”

In the discussion following their talks, each speaker talked briefly about a current issue that is occupying their thoughts, and about which they are trying to make sense. Tad noted that current financial circumstances are, at present his entire focus. Shel described her efforts to think clearly about “what gets defined as the abortion debate, which often pits fetal rights against maternal rights.” She observed that she sees the issue as much more multifaceted and complex, as she works each day with mothers and infants, including many preterm and previable births. Paul spoke about the return of Sarah Jane Olson, and his hope that this longtime member of the St. Paul community would be welcomed back to that city.

If you’re a philosophy alumna or alumnus reading this post, wouldn’t you like to come back to talk with our students and faculty? We’d love to hear your story.