There are many reasons why people enjoy the study of philosophy. Philosophy gives us the opportunity to think more deeply about the subjects that really matter to us: e.g. What does it all mean? Who am I? What is my part in all this? How can I find meaning and satisfaction in life?
Philosophy deals with the big ideas, which govern human life. The world in which we live is shaped by philosophy, whether we know it or not. For example, Plato lived over 2000 years ago and what he said about subjects such as truth, beauty and justice have influenced the western world to this day.
Philosophy can simplify, clarify, enrich and provide direction to our lives, especially when other areas of life fall into a state of uncertainty or doubt. It can give us a greater sense of perspective.
Ultimately, Philosophy can raise our awareness, to enable us to see things for what they are and bring us closer to our true selves. In this sense, it is the supreme means of self‐discovery.
Philosophy means:
Philo = love of
Sophia = Wisdom
But what is “wisdom”?
The dictionary definition of wisdom is ‘experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them practically. In a sense, anyone who has mastered their trade or area of specialism could be called wise in their sphere of knowledge – for example, if we call someone a wise doctor we may mean he or she has experience and knowledge of medicine and is able to apply these practically.
However in our case as philosophers, the idea here is not to be a wise doctor, or a wise anything else, but to be wise people. The activity we are interested in is life itself – therefore the knowledge we seek is that which can enable us to master the art of living.
So when we use the word ‘wisdom’, we can define it to mean that knowledge which will enable a person to live truly and happily.
Introductory Course in Philosophy – A Practical Approach
A course in practical philosophy approaches the question of discovering wisdom through considering the way a wise person acts, how they speak, how they are in themselves. Throughout the term of the course we explore several key attributes of people we each consider wise in order to apply them practically in our lives. We will ask ourselves “What would a wise person do?”
Through reflecting on their behaviors and our experiences of practices and exercises given in the course, we may change our own perspectives, and in doing so, each discover more of wisdom for ourselves.
Of course there may be situations where the answer is not at all clear. But there will be many other circumstances where simply by asking this question some light will be shed upon the particular manner. This is because in all of us there is an innate wisdom which
can be brought to the surface by the question.
Whether we think of ourselves as wise or not is irrelevant. The point is to put the question to yourself and see what happens – what would a wise person do …?
What’s up, just wanted to say, I liked this article. It was practical. Keep on posting!
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