Why the study of Philosophy and Philosophers is a must do.

What picture fills your mind when you think of philosophy, or philosophers?

A dry, perhaps boring looking book maybe?

What feelings do the words philosophy, or philosophers engender?

I doubt that most people would instantly think that the study of Philosophy and Philosophers should be, or is, on their must do list.

So, why do I claim that the study of Philosophy and Philosophers is a must do?

It’s a big claim after all.

Let’s start with a dictionary definition of philosophy:

Philosophy

phi·los·o·phy (fĭ-lŏs’ə-fē) pronunciation

n., pl. -phies.

1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.

2. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.

3. A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry: the philosophy of Aristotle.

4. The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.

5. The disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology.

6. The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

7. A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory: an original philosophy of advertising.

8. A system of values by which one lives: has an unusual philosophy of life.

As we can see, philosophy is foundational stuff – for life, action, thought, government, business and so on.

Plato, an influential classical Greek philosopher, (c. 427 BC – c. 347 BC) said:

Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, and those commoner natures who pursue either to the exclusion of the other are compelled to stand aside, cities will never have rest from their evils — no, nor the human race, as I believe — and then only will this our State have a possibility of life and behold the light of day. – Plato, The Republic

Plato also said:

Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.

Seems very sensible to me. And relevant to our modern world. ( I wish my father and step mother had understood Plato).

These are just a couple of examples of how long dead philosophers can help us today. (We don’t necessarily need the latest book).

Personally, my life experience has been very diverse and I have come to realise that what we think and believe  is very important. As is truth – not our own opinions, but raw truth. A humble, teachable mindset is particularly valuable – even if one has had an excellent education such as I have. Acquiring more wisdom is the most valuable goal.

Life, the world, and people are fascinating to me and I have devoted much time to the study of human nature, spirituality and philosophy.

I therefore recommend the study of philosophy for many reasons, which include:

1. Thinking logically
2. Thinking creatively
3. Thinking laterally – outside the square
4. Problem solving
5. Objective analysis and evaluation
6. Effective planning
7. Succinct verbal and written expression
8. Effective reduction
9. Simplifying the complicated
10. Discovering hidden relationships and assumptions
11. Effective analysis and drawing accurate conclusions
12. Distilling, evaluating and summarizing large amounts of information concisely & clearly
13. Evaluating data quality
14. Evaluating the usefulness of services and products
15. Communicating a point of view utilizing varied techniques and arguments
16. Seeing the big picture
17. Uncovering truth
18. Growing as a person – personal development
19. Smart thinking
20. Taking “shortcuts” by learning from others wiser than yourself

Related posts:

1. How to study – study skills resources.
2. Question: I would like to hear more about this path of yours… especially regarding truth. How long have you been a Shaman, what led you to it?
3. Philosophy – familiar = strange = familiar.
4. Humility is something to be cherished.
5. Are you a study cheat? And who are you really cheating?