Philosophy | Life | Self-Improvement
Why You Should Start Studying Philosophy
It will guarantee you a smoother path in life
I confess to you that I’m not an expert in philosophy. I started my philosophical journey last summer, but the benefits I experienced are enormous.
I have changed. My relatives told me recently that I have changed, that I’m not the same person who takes everything lightly. I’m more rational and thoughtful when it comes to my actions and decisions.
The goal of this article is to make you want to start reading philosophy, or at least learn about it on the internet.
You may think that philosophy is outdated, reserved only for intellectual gratification, or that we don’t need it anymore because science has surpassed it. But I’m here to enlighten you.
Throw away all distractions, prepare a cup of coffee or tea, and let’s start.
What is philosophy?
We should never dive directly into a subject without defining it. Therefore, philosophy is the systematic study of foundational questions concerning existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.
It seeks to understand and explore the nature of reality, the meaning of life, and the principles that govern human behavior. It is characterized by its strong emphasis on the use of rationality and critical thinking in order to find answers to these fundamental questions.
Interestingly, The word “philosophy” is composed of the Greek words:
- Philo-: Meaning “love” or “affection.”
- -sophy: Meaning “wisdom.”
Thus, philosophy literally translates to the “love of wisdom”.
It can be divided into 6 key branches: Metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, aesthetics, and political philosophy.
We are not going to dive into each one of these branches because this is not the goal of this article, but if you want an exhaustive introduction, let me know in the comments.
Why does it matter TODAY?
Have you noticed the people around you? We, as a modern society, seem so irrational. We buy expensive phones just to flex in front of others, we indulge in things that we know are harmful to us, and we try to conform to societal norms that may not be in our best interest.
Actually, I have the best example. I live in Lebanon, and I have observed an important movement of irrationality. For instance, most people here follow political parties based on their religion or parental teachings, even if the party is clearly corrupted.
This irrational thinking should stop. It’s not limited to a single country but is affecting the whole world.
Fortunately, the benefits of embracing philosophical pursuits can be as valuable for societies as they are for individuals.
But with every big movement, everyone should begin with themselves — most importantly, you.
The pros of studying Philosophy
Philosophy teaches you to question EVERYTHING. Look at a child, for example, they land in this world and start asking a lot of questions. Not only simple ones, but they are talented at posing the right existential questions.
Children aren’t ashamed of asking questions, that’s what makes them powerful learners.
Furthermore, philosophy teaches you to question societal and conventional norms through the use of logical thinking.
But what separates philosophy? What makes it meaningful? In my opinion, it’s the fact that it deals with our most fundamental beliefs, problems at the core of our existence, that we would otherwise take for granted.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
— Socrates (The man who dared to question political and cultural leaders thought as “wise”, and was killed for it.)
These problems include the existence of god(s), what is happiness, the nature of reality…et cetera
While we usually assume that we have the answers to these problems, based mostly on society and what we were taught during childhood, these answers become now the outcome of rational thought, critical thinking, and personal ideas.
Final Thoughts
Philosophy is not some ancient relic or a pursuit for academics in ivory towers, but a vital tool with which to navigate the convolutions of modern life. In learning to think critically, ask profound questions, and challenge the status quo, we have the power to create for ourselves a more thoughtful, informed, and meaningful life.
Philosophy, while we exist in this ocean of information and rapid technological growth, is like an anchor. It fastens us onto fundamental principles which have stood or will stand the test of time. It helps us confront existential dilemmas, make ethical decisions, and live with purpose.
So, by the time you finish reading this article, take the first step. Pick a book among the best philosophy books for beginners, and start dissecting it carefully. (Or perhaps I will write some introductory article to philosophy soon, so don’t forget to follow.)
In the end, philosophy is more than the love of wisdom — it’s the pursuit of a life worth living.
That’s all for today.
Thank you for reading!
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