My Philosophy...of Philosophy?

What is philosophy?

    When you take a Philosophy 101 at University, on the first day the professors usually explain the etymology of the word: "philo-",meaning "loving", and "-sophia", meaning wisdom.  So, etymologically, philosophy is the "love of wisdom".   And I don't mean the erotic kind of love, although Philosophers back in Ancient Greece were known to get-it-on often times.   So, perhaps, after a long day of philosophizing, between themselves they did have a kind of "erosophy".  But anyways, the meaning of philosophy has, of course,  gone into further debate by probing the meaning further, as most philosophers do (not in that way, sicko!).  Some would say philosophy is a method of conceptual analysis, in order to discover the truth (as Plato so vehemently sought).   But even this idea of "truth" is unclear, whether we're referring to the verifiable knowledge kind of truth such as "4+4=8", or logical truths like "All cats have four legs.  Mr. Purrkins is a cat. Therefore Mr.Purrkins has four legs"...at least until he got hit by the semi-truck. :'( ...OR referring to a wisdom-character, the type of person who knows what to do in any situation, like Yoda, Mr.Miyagi or Mr.Wilson from Home Improvement ("hi-de-ho neighbor!").

 

Yoda, considered one of the most wisest creatures in the universe.

Probably one of the wisest quotes uttered upon mankind.

Some of the wisest men never show their whole face.

    Others would say it is a world-view, like when people ask you, "What is your philosophy of life?", which is a rather annoying question, I think...as if most people can spout that as easily as saying their phone number.  Although, some do come up with annoying clichés like "to be happy", "to love and grow", or to "serve humanity", or whatever.  Most people say these thing without a moment's thought; but these answers are so apparent and simple (who doesn't want to be happy, and love, and grow?...I think most do) that the question itself becomes almost absurd, which perhaps it is.  But many philosophers from every age have tried to tell other people how to live and what kind of world-view is best.

    Other philosophers, like Socrates, simply wanted people to think for themselves...and think rationally, hopefully.  After him, Mythos, believing in all of those gods and legends,  in Greece gradually lost its weight.  However, in the world of mythology and religion, philosophy can be applied as well.  Some have even claimed that the age of rationality and sciencific thinking that Socrates ushered in is, too, just another mythology that we humans have created.  So even here, things aren't so clear.  More blurriness sets in.

But philosophy doesn't only deal with religion, mythology, and other-worldly issues like the question "If God created the universe, what created God?". Indeed, philosophy is so ever-pervasive, that it can touch upon any subject, no matter how seemingly mundane.  Whether its ethics, law, science, technology, music, art, or literature, philosophy can be a part of any of these subjects.

    And that's what I love about philosophy.  That any subject under the sun can be viewed under the philosophical lense.    And that lense is simply asking questions.  Just like when a child asks his parents a barrage of innocent, though sometimes annoying, questions, a philosopher, I believe has to have the heart of the child.  After all, children know nothing and Socrates is famously quoted to have said "All I know is that I know nothing".  Wait, so does that mean Socrates is a child?  Did I do that logical equality equation right?  Well, in any case, I believe he had the mind of a child (why else did he not work?) and I think a part of being a good philosopher is humbling yourself, like he did, so to realize that you don't have all the answers.

Calvin, known for his inquisitive nature.

    But as we get older, philosophy doesn't seem like the kind of activity that a child would do or have fun with.  But in fact, they are the best at it because of their inquisitive nature.  But to most adults, philosophy seems very complex and dry, which it often is.  Many great philosophers are known for their circuitous, and sophisticated way of speaking.  Reading a philosopher's work can be painstaking at times.  I remember reading some of Descarte's work in University and having to reread passages dozens of times for it to make sense in my brain.
    Philosophy can be intimidating, and is often thought of as too sophisticated for the common layman.  And I agree entirely.  Sadly, philosophy has developed more and more into an unreachable and confusing subject.  It takes patience and passion to read many works by the ones we consider "philosophers".

    But I believe everyone can be a philosopher, and has the potential to simply think for themselves and ask questions.  And it can be really fun!

    And that is the goal of this blog.  To bring philosophy to the masses in a fun, light-hearted way.  I am not only dedicating this blog to teach certain philosophies,  but also for my musings, rants, interesting thoughts-of-the-day, and most importantly to encourage others to express their own thoughts and their philosophies as well.

    So, the etymological meaning of philosophy, "the love of wisdom", isn't too far off from my own view.  I want everyone to have a love for philosophy (a friendship love! Or, okay, a friends-with-benefits love is fine, too).  I want everyone to be familiar with certain important philosophical concepts and ideas.  I also want to show the universality of philosophy and dismantle the view that it's only for those sophisticated echelons.  And I want to do this while having fun.

    So I hope you like this blog and you continue to stop in to see what's new.  Because since philosophy's range is so ubiquitous I think there will be something for everyone.