Why does a precise definition of the discipline matter? AFAIK, there is no such definition of what constitutes physics or even mathematics. Those disciplines are usually "defined" by whatever it is that the people associated with them choose to study. Physics is as physicist does; philosophy is as philosoper does.

Good question. It shows that this is the snit we've gotten ourselves into: philosophy=formal systems. Physics must be based on a formal system, therefore we must have an advancement in formal systems to help physics. There is no advancement, yadda yadda.

The "good" parts of philosophy are the mushy parts. And when you've created a formal system that's self-consistent yet offers no value, you're going to have to step outside formal systems for a while.

That's gotta be a painful leap for a lot of folks who believe that math is the ultimate reality.

I wouldn't equate philosophy with formal systems, philosophy is more about what a formal system is, what formalisms actually mean, and deciding when they are important tools for knowledge, and when they are not.