Philosophy is dead but we need it more than ever
Why philosophy needs to be mainstream again
There is no Nobel Prize for philosophy. The labelling of philosophy as an “Arts subject” has placed it in the “non-essential” work category in the modern world, and we are — by necessity — often driven more by profit-making than we are by understanding the very nature of human existence, reality, and truth. The human pursuit of understanding is now seen as a subject to take on the side for extra credits or personal interest.
Yet, this is the age of disillusionment in the truth, the Great Resignation, and divided, oddly heated debates about where we should sit while we do our work. What can we gather from all of these phenomena?
We are a human race that has progressed, yet we are still looking for something else… A different kind of progress. Perhaps, for some, a kind of anti-progress.
Whatever your take on the situation, to find this “something else”, we must re-examine the way we have been living. One powerful way to do this is with a subject and system of thinking that has been used for centuries: philosophy. Here’s how.
We’re anxious: “Philosophising” satisfies our “thinking minds”
Do you think to much?
Me too.
Over-examining the minutiae of life has not made me happy. Tugged between the distractions of our connected world, my thoughts often feel disjointed and sometimes overwhelming. However, I have realised, what if all this examining can be reframed as a strength? What if I am simply not applying my capacities in the right way, to the right places?
Our curious minds need an outlet. They need focus. This is where the power of philosophy comes in. The etymology of philosophy comes from the Greek word, philosophia, meaning “love of wisdom”. “Philosophising”, therefore, is the intentional act of seeking wisdom. In other words: to think, but with purpose; and to think, for the love of knowledge.
While this is not in any way a cure-all for the very real, debilitating condition of anxiety, I have found that taking time to intentionally become more aware of what I am thinking and what for to be extremely valuable. This kind of purposeful consideration and reflection allows you to direct your thoughts on your own terms. It reminds you, for a moment, that you have the ability to redirect your thoughts to wherever you’d rather they be.
It is not about allowing yet more anxious thought-trains run through your mind. “Philosophising” is a thought-train you guide to in the direction you’d like to go; to more interesting, wonderous places. You can think about the meaning of life, beauty or art. You can consider whether their is such a thing as fate, or reflect on other philosophers’ ideas about the soul.
Whatever you choose to focus on, philosophising grants you the space to think about the world with new eyes again. It reminds you that you are allowed to challenge your views and form new ones. In fact, it’s good to do so.
While this shouldn’t replace other important tools like meditation and mindfulness, this, I believe, is an important step in the right direction towards coping with the anxiety that overwhelms many of us. The more aware we are of our thoughts, the better we can know ourselves, our beliefs, and the world around us. The better we know ourselves, our beliefs, and the world around us, the easier it is to change them.
We’re lost: Philosophy provides the guidance we desperately need
Those who push against philosophy often do so because of a misconception that philosophy only poses intangible questions, and offers very few answers. Those who take the time to explore philosophy a little more deeply will come to find that certain philosophical movements actually do provide extremely valuable direction when we are in need of guidance.
From navigating career options with effective altruism (to learn more about this, I recommend 80,000 hours by Benjamin Todd) to overcoming social anxiety with Adlerian philosophy (for this, I suggest checking out The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi), I have discovered that there is something for most life struggles in the philosophical world.
Many philosophies even propose specific ways of living, like Stoicism and Epicureanism.
Stoics empower us to lead a life of less resistance, one in which we go with the flow as opposed to pushing against the tide. It teaches us about the virtues of wisdom, justice, temperance and courage. It helps us to become more resilient by letting go of control, as an act of preparation for all that can go wrong. (Some Stoics even suggest “negative visualisation”, in which one would imagine worst case scenarios in order to desensitize yourself form it!)
“Say to yourself in the early morning: I shall meet today ungrateful, violent, treacherous, envious, uncharitable [people]. All of the ignorance of real good and ill … I can neither be harmed by any of them, for no[body] will involve me in wrong, nor can I be angry with my kinsman or hate [them]; for we have come into the world to work together …”
— Marcus Aurelius
Meanwhile, the Epicureans suggest that we live a happier life by balancing pleasure with moderation, and focusing on the pleasures of the mind rather that the pleasures of the body. Epicureanism also places great importance on building deep friendships as a way to live a fulfilling life.
“Of all the things which wisdom has contrived which contribute to a blessed life, none is more important, more fruitful, than friendship.”
— Epicurus, quoted by Cicero
There will always be debates about which “way” is right (as with most things in life) in philosophy. However, every time we explore it, we will learn something new about ourselves and, very often, the lessons you find provide a simple, encouraging nod to nudge you in a positive direction.
So, next time you are feeling a bit out of sorts, instead of only seeking advice in modern-day self-help books, why not head to the philosophy section at the bookstore?
We’re divided: Philosophy bridges the divide
One famous quote comes to mind when I read angry Twitter threads about home office versus office life:
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” — Socrates
I believe these Twitter threads are fuelled by our shared need to re-examine where we are today and we’re directing this powerful desire to examine (and, ultimately, create a “life worth living”) at singular issues such as this one. The past couple of years have forced us all to take stock of how we are living, whether we wanted to or not. In so many debates today, we have forgotten about nuance and turn many issues into impossible, polarised debates.
Philosophy reminds us that there may be more than one side, or that there are different ways to look the same problem. It can provide the building blocks to create a bridge between differing perspectives.
To take this to a much broader, beyond angry Twitter threads, Since philosophy is to a large degree not constrained by specific religions, we might be able to find common understandings through a philosophical lens. French philosopher, Bertrand Vergely, explains this much better than I ever could, so I will leave you with this final note:
“Philosophy is not a science, neither a religion or life itself, but it is indispensable to ‘be’. This paradoxical relation resumes the etymological signification of the word: Love of wisdom. To be Wise is to know how to fight against ignorance. To be wise is also to be able to control one’s own passions (…) When a [person] reaches such a control over [them]self, [they] allow the real [self] which is hidden within [them] to arise, which is a [person] free from ignorance and violence.”
Philosophy has so much to offer to our world today. If you can look past the patriarchal ways of speaking from old philosophers (which, by the way, I have edited out for my own pleasure here), you will be able to find your own lessons within this subject. While you can never win a Nobel Prize for integrating philosophy into your life, I hope that the next time you feel lost, anxious or find yourself amidst a divided debate, you might look to philosophy for some answers (and philosophy will teach you that you aren’t here for the prizes, anyway).
