Let’s Appreciate Philosophy
Philosophy is beautiful. And the simple reason for that is the way that it can dive so deep into human nature and its interaction with the world around it, while still keeping itself accessible to anyone who can read and think. Philosophy is a deep academic field, but it keeps its doors open to anyone willing to walk through them.
Philosophy presents you with all aspects of humanity and gives you the opportunity to decide for yourself. While of course not guaranteed, it’s likely that whatever thoughts you have, have been thought by at least one philosopher in human history.
And you don’t have to know the field to appreciate it and enjoy it. To appreciate the great minds of the past, you just have to open a book and read. No prerequisites, just your own thoughts with or against a great mind’s thoughts.
Another beautiful aspect of this is the fact that there’s no right, no wrong, there’s no truth. Sure, there are definitions, but so far there’s no consensus on what is The Wrong, The Right or The Truth and the existence of an Absolute Truth is still being debated. Therefore you are free to think and express your feelings on anything.
Every single work of any given philosopher has been deconstructed by another philosopher, and that cycle goes on and on through human history. You are free to construct your own sets of values by examining the arguments presented to you. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what is of value and what’s not.
Yes, this is a simplification, but I don’t believe this simplification harms philosophy in any way, matter of fact, this simplification makes more people discover the field. You can pick a quote from any philosopher, and both a scholar and a person who has no clue about philosophy will have a lot to think about and maybe even something to say.
The scholars will infinitely argue about truths and values, they will infinitely deconstruct each other’s views and arguments. And what is left for the rest of us is to look at the fragments their fights leave, and make something of our own out of it.
And to feed your mind today, I will give you a set of quotes from philosophers that I’m at least somewhat familiar with.
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
“The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues. “ — René Descartes
“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.” — René Descartes
“I think therefore I am” — René Descartes
“Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them.” — David Hume
“Be a philosopher but, amid all your philosophy be still a man.” — David Hume
“Genuine tragedies in the world are not conflicts between right and wrong. They are conflicts between two rights.” — Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
“Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.” — Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
“We do not need to be shoemakers to know if our shoes fit, and just as little have we any need to be professionals to acquire knowledge of matters of universal interest.” — Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love…” — Marcus Aurelius
