Did you know?
- ferisshirley
- Nov 21, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 29, 2023
WORLD PHILOSOPHY DAY: 16 November 2023
Last Thursday morning (16/11/23) one of the presenters of a breakfast show announced that it is World Philosophy Day. What?
Next thing I knew, I was down the google rabbit hole and learnt, among other things, that this day was declared on 21 November 2002 by UNESCO. Since then, it was celebrated every year on the third Thursday in November.
We have all heard, read, many even studied, Philosophy and we know the names of the ancient Greek thinkers, namely Aristotle, Plato and the like. Since I have not studied Philosophy, I went searching for more information as well as clarity on definitions and the different schools of Philosophy.
“Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like Existence, Reason, Knowledge, Value, Mind and Language.” Wikipedia
According to Bertrand Russel, a modern-day Philosopher,
“Philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of definite answers, but rather for the sake of the questions themselves.
(Asking) these questions enlarge our conception of what is possible, enrich our intellectual imagination and diminish the dogmatic assurance which closes the mind against speculation.” (To promote critical thinking.) www.azquotes.com
The meaning of life (simplified by www.cheatography.com )according to some philosophers:
PLATOISM: Learn more.
ARISTOTLEANISM: Be Good.
CYNICISM: Be self-sufficient.
HEDONISM: Have pleasure now.
KANTIANISM: Do your duty. Act in accordance with universal moral law. (Do unto others…)
NIHILISM: Life has no meaning. Do anything.
PRAGMATISM: Bring the most good to humans.
THEISM: Follow God’s will.
EXISTENTIALISM: Make a decision and be positive.
ABSURDISM: Stop trying to make sense of life, just live.
NATURISM: Care for nature.
Yesterday, I was confronted by the question: What is your personal life philosophy?
I believe that most of us have a personal life philosophy in our mind, but have you penned it down and are you able to answer the question in a sentence or a few words?
Why have a personal life philosophy at all?
A personal life philosophy is your unique understanding of and perspective on the world and life in general.
Why does this matter?
“Your personal life philosophy is a way to make sense of life and the world we live in; to crystalize your understanding of life and the world.” In general, a personal life philosophy includes things like your most essential truths and insights about, and highest aspirations for life and the world."
"It (your personal life philosophy) is made up of your own set of values, principles and beliefs to guide your actions and frame your perspectives. It can serve as your compass to navigate life." www.psychologytoday.com
Some examples of personal life philosophies:
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters to what lies within us.”
(We have the power to control our destiny. The things that happened to us in life are just a small part of who we are. The most important things lie within us.) Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The best way to find out if you can trust someone, is to trust them.”
(Always give people the benefit of the doubt.) Earnest Hemmingway
“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” Albert Einstein
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Ghandi www.minimalismmadesimple.com
I came across the Japanese concepts/philosophies of WABI-SABI and IKIGAI. In a previous blog, I explored the Ikigai way of life and found it quite interesting and wholesome.
IKIGAI, is a Japanese concept referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living. (Wikipedia)
IKI, meaning original, calm, exquisite and sophisticated without being perfect or complicated and GAI meaning benefit or worth.
WABI SABI is the concept of finding beauty in imperfection, impermanence.
WABI: A kind of freshness and quietness. SABI: Beauty and serenity that comes with age. Nothing lasts, nothing is finished, nothing is perfect and that’s a good thing.
A great example of Wabi Sabi is KINTSUGI, the practice of fixing broken ceramics with golden lacquer, accentuating the flaw but turning it into a different, beautiful work of art.
My personal life philosophy is based on the life of Jesus and His teachings. He set the perfect example for living and handling difficult situations. Following His standard is not easy, but I can at least strive to be like Him.
In his book “Man’s Search for Meaning”, Victor Frankl concludes that “The last of human freedoms, is to choose your attitude”. This resonates with me and reminds me of the value of a positive attitude.
May God bless you.
Till we chat again
Shirley Rose
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