I am a philosopher by trade and a thinker by avocation. I think philosophy has a much wider application than as an abstract subject studied only in an academic setting. I believe everyone should think like a philosopher. Here are five ways to start.

I believe we should ask more questions. It’s the only way to learn more about the world around you. Stay curious. Ask questions as often as you can. Students need to ask their teachers. Patients need to ask their doctors. Voters need to ask their politicians.

I believe we should demand better answers. But, we can’t stop with just asking questions. We should also demand better answers from those making claims on our allegiance and attention such as politicians, as well as spiritual and thought leaders. Don’t accept claims at face value. Dig deeper. Ask for reasons and evidence. Evaluate this evidence in light of what you already know. If something conflicts, ask more questions to find out what’s really going on.

I believe we should learn more than we think we need to know. Most of our education focuses on learning just what we need to know to get a degree, new job, or promotion. But, knowledge is more than this and the value of learning goes much deeper than having functional knowledge. As the physicist Richard Feynman put it, we should learn for the “pleasure of finding things out.”

I believe we should create something of beauty and value. We are all creative in different ways but often do not utilize this ability to a sufficient degree. I create music, books, photographs, wooden bowls. None of these may earn me a living but they serve the more important human function of artistic expression. The world is a better place when we add beauty and value to it. Our work, our lives, our art all have the potential to add to the world.

I believe we should each ask ourselves these four questions;
What do you want to learn?
What do you want to experience?
What do you want to contribute?
What do you want to leave behind?