Philosophy is a controversial subject—its definition falling somewhere between another word for self-reflection and a technical science alike to chemistry and physics. Wherever philosophy lies, it is in essence the process of critical thinking, and has been invaluable over the course of human existence in helping us to understand the world around us as we know it to be. In the words of Socrates, “the unexamined life is not worth living".
According to famous philosopher Bertrand Russell, philosophy is critical to our human journey for knowledge. In his comic “A Day at the Park”, he argues the search for questions is far more important to our lives than the value of answers. We should be questioning ourselves and the world around us at all times.
The aforementioned comic explores not only this theory but the opposing argument, in the form of a slug-like alien who is adamant about sticking to his old ways. This personality in itself is an indictment on those who do not use philosophy.
Philosopher John Chaffee maintains that it is necessary to think well in order to live well. This concept of thinking well has been left open to interpretation, having very little criteria. First of all, obviously thinking well begins with thinking at all. If I can recite all my trigonometric identities to my calculus teacher, am I truly thinking? I am using my brain without my mind, and here is the distinction between thinking and thinking well. Thinking well is a matter of understanding yourself to such an extent that you can ask questions of yourself rather than of others.
The theory goes that an individual needs to think well in order to live well. However, I think it is more of a question of thinking more. Thinking well may be difficult, but to affect change in your mind and on your outlook of life, you have to think more, about the things you have been too afraid or confused to contemplate before. Therefore, you need to think more in order to live more.
Without ever having put a name to it, philosophy has always been a part of my life. I believe many people would agree. Self-reflection has such importance to me as an individual, because it allows me to explore who I am and how I perceive the world. I have often found myself enjoying long walks to nowhere or finding a quiet hiding place outside to just sit and think deeply. I, quite possibly, have slowly stopped valuing such times as those.
Contemporary society places very little value on philosophy. Life has become constantly fast-paced as a result of our hyper-developed technologies; the bar of success has been raised to such a level that it is often impossible to slow down. This leaves little time to reflect, analyze and examine one’s own life and especially one's place in the universe. So while I don't expect anyone to suddenly take up a philosophy major, know that this type of thinking is sorely missed among us, and five minutes contemplating your existence won't hurt (that much).
Socrates would agree that we have to look at philosophy as a necessity, as another way to survive as a tiny imprint on the universe. It may not be valuable to our society, but that could be our downfall as a species; without this deeper level of understanding of ourselves that we have deemed unnecessary, we may find we can't survive as individuals anymore.
