Why do people still play Philidor's defence?

I see this literally every day.

What's the big attraction?

Anyone in love with this move care to share some thoughts?

There is nothing wrong with Philidor defence, black is a little cramped but has no weaknesses. There are also not a stack of complicated variations to try to remember, so I guess it appeals to those who like to approach playing black cautiously.

+1. Philidor is solid enough and quiet choice. 

The Philidor is simply logical at the beginner level. The eye is drawn to protecting the E5 pawn with another pawn and keeping options open for where to place pieces. It is also not uncommon for the white player to get overly aggressive in order to try to sharpen the game. I have almost never played it as black but there is nothing really wrong with it. I used to hate seeing it as white but one can transpose to the old Steinitz defense in the ruy lopez by playing D4. If black responds with Nc6 then Bb5 and there it is, a passive but solid defense in the Ruy. 

Lazy opening for lazy people.  

I enjoy pulling out my part Sicilian attack on blacks kingside. I don't mind playing against it since it gives white the edge. I have not seen this opening very often at my level. I use to see it all the time.

It's been said by some Biblical scholars that J himself may have played one (and only one) game of chess, and it was the Philidor Defense.

They dont. They play Philidor D-E-F-E-N-S-E

Philidor and modern can transpose into each other at early stages.

Philidor is a pretty solid defense.

Hahaha the remark of the day!  Why do U speak about Jesus in the past ?!? He's still alive (though dwelling in a parallel world on the Earth) and certainly aware about the chess as one of arts/games of the human society. It would be more interesting to know what He would play today. However, He's very bisy with metaevolutional processes on our planet, I won't dare to ask Him questions not related to metaphysics. 

I agree. They don't even bother deviating from their usual setup even if it means the loss of a piece.

The Black Lion, 2nd Edition by Jerry van Rekom & Leo Jansen (2009)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627122350/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen123.pdf
A Cunning Chess Opening for Black by Sergey Kasparov (2015)

http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Cunning-Chess-Opening-for-Black-A-76p3899.htm

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9008.pdf

Play 1...d6 Against Everything

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9051.pdf

Hi all,

There's a very good book about the defence : « The Philidor files » by G. Bauer.

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627023224/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen94.pdf

They play the philidor because they don't want to improve themselves. They are lazy af.

Just memorizing philidor system moves and repeat them at the board without thinking even if there are better options.