before we have settled as well as we can, the philosophical question?

That's a pretty deep q Ori, and I continue to be impressed by by your intrepid tenacity and determination as an esl

Apparently the implication is that the phil q will remain unsettled but that we have to approximate a settlement before appealing to experience

Incidentally it's "therefore"

It means, "before we have settled the philosophical question to the best of our ability."

Note: 'therefore' is one word.

(1) Original sentence: (Note - I believe it would be better and clearer with a comma after 'settled')
It is therefore useless to appeal to experience before we have settled, as well as we can, the philosophical question.


(2) Just move "as well as we can" to the end and remove commas:

It is therefore useless to appeal to experience before we have settled the philosophical question as well as we can.

In my opinion, "as well as we can" can and should be removed. Presumably "we" apply as much diligence to settling philosophical questions as is necessary. Lazy writing.

Thank you all.