I'm certainly glad philosophy helped Newton with gravity.  But, like Descartes, "I think, therefore.." I view the effect of philosophy on meeting today's societal needs as tenuous at best and virtually  non-existent in actual effect.   The Ivy League philosophical scholar contemplating the whichness of what is as useful as the monk contemplating his navel in Tibet.  (Although he can't do that anymore because the Chinese won't let him.  Darned reality!)