Philosophy today is often dismissed as mere mysticism, lumped in with crystal healing and fortune-telling—a telling reflection of our era. As philosophy fades from our personal lives and our education systems, people aren’t left with nothing to believe; rather, they’re primed to believe almost anything. Yet, not everything we’re told about the world is true.
To abandon philosophy—to stop engaging with questions and ideas that sharpen our understanding—would be to disarm ourselves and leave our less-prepared peers without defense against unfounded beliefs and empty ideas. As C.S. Lewis reminds us: “Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.”
Here, I explore philosophical ideas, examining beliefs and their impact on our daily lives. Through evaluating their validity, soundness, and reliability, I hope to reach more accurate conclusions, and ultimately, find a path to a more truthful, optimistic way of living—not just for myself, but for others.
Some people have strong feelings about reading lists. You wouldn't think it, but they are quite polarizing. The critics say that reading should be done out of passion, and others follow a strict code. I think the magic is to found somewhere between. I have compiled reasons why I think you should start using reading lists if you're not already. I have also included a comprehensive list for you to begin with that was drafted by a famous philosopher.
We have now made it to the final step. If none of the other options help, this may be the safest and most helpful thing you can do. Quit your job. Don't do it blindly, but you will inevitably need to take the plunge. We can only do dreadful and meaningless work for so long until it poisons us ultimately. If you cannot find meaning, purpose, or joy in the work, then its time to move on. Even if you have found those aforementioned things, it may be time to move on if the work is poisoning you in other ways. Such as making it impossible to see your family or stressing you to the point of frequent break downs. It is essential to find meaning and joy in your work, but it is not the best of all things. Take your work seriously and enjoy it, but remember there are more important things in life than having a good job.
What is the definition of faith and how does it work? How much do you think faith plays a role in your daily life? You may be surprised to find that there is a variety of places where faith shows up in your life. Especially when it comes to making life choices.
We all know what memes are. Most memes are random and that's their draw but every once in awhile I come across a meme that ties into philosophy or psychology…
Have you ever made a significant decision? Maybe you were stuck between the college of your dreams or the college you could afford, the job that's down the street or the job offer in a new country. Even if your decision wasn't as life-altering as moving out of the country, it could still fall into the category of a significant decision. We could all benefit from examining how we make our choices. You might be surprised by what you find.