Now Reading: Do we really need another philosophy blog?
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Do we really need another philosophy blog?
Do we really need another philosophy blog?
What kind of philosophy blog would this be if the first thing it questions isn’t its own existence? And to stay true to this blog’s goal of keeping philosophy practical, I’ll give you this straightforward answer: no, we don’t need another philosophy blog. Whether I write this blog or not, the sun will surely set and rise another day. But still, this is just the very first paragraph of my first blog, and I intend to publish many more. Why, you ask? Let me tell you!
The Unexamined Life
One of the great philosophers who has inspired many to do many different things is Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher who (just like I do now) lived in Athens. While he philosophized about many interesting ideas during his life, I like to believe that his most inspiring moment was his death, famously documented by his student Plato. After all, what inspires more than a philosopher so devoted to his own philosophy that he stayed true to his method—questioning and reasoning—even as he faced trial for impiety and corrupting the youth, a trial that would eventually lead to his death?
At his trial, Socrates was offered a life-or-death choice—or, more precisely, exile or death. Exile from Athens would mean abandoning the city that had shaped him, living as a wanderer without a home, and forfeiting his role as a philosopher engaging in dialogue with his fellow citizens. To the ancient Greek philosopher, this wasn’t really much of a choice, for a life devoid of introspection, self-reflection, and critical thinking was not worth living anyway. And so, he accepted his fate as he famously (and supposedly) uttered the words: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Philosophy Versus Reality
Socrates’ death is an inspiring story, and I share his passion for the examination of life and self. But as is often the case with philosophy, it can be hard to translate his ideas into actions and actually apply them. Because let’s be real—faced with a similar choice, how many of us would have chosen death? If I were given the choice right now between quitting this blog or being sentenced to death, this would be my last sentence. This disconnect between philosophy and the reality of life is exactly why I started this blog.
I find that the inherent abstractness of philosophy is often a turn-off for people. For example, it’s an interesting philosophical exercise to try to define something clearly. What makes a chair a chair? It has four legs, you say? A horse has four legs as well, and some chairs have no legs at all. Not so easy, is it? But the number of times I’ve found myself at a party trying to blow people’s minds by mentioning that water is also wet, only for them to politely nod and take a sip from their now clearly defined beer, is slightly embarrassing.
It’s obvious that philosophy—and the thinking, abstractness, and reading that come with it—isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. And if you ask me, that’s a shame. Not because people don’t always think I’m fun at parties (well, maybe a bit), but because philosophy often dives into very real challenges, problems, and questions that don’t exclusively concern people who like to overthink their whole lives. And I firmly believe that everybody could draw strength, insights, and inspiration from philosophy—as long as it’s presented in the right way.
Practical Philosophy
I have experienced firsthand that philosophical theories, when translated into tangible actions, can bring you a lot in life. A bit over a year ago, I was living in the Netherlands, and I wasn’t very happy with the life I had built for myself. Sure, I had good friends, a loving family, a nice home, and a fulfilling job, but still, I felt stuck. I spent a lot of time back then trying to figure out why I felt this way, as by all the standards I had set for myself, I had supposedly made it. It was around that time that I first started learning about Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic Roman emperor.
Stoic philosophy might be one of the best things you can stumble upon when you’re feeling stuck in life. The Stoics will tell you to stop feeling sorry for yourself, focus on what you can control, and challenge yourself. It was the words of Aurelius that made me realize why I was stuck: I wasn’t challenging myself. I was all set—I had graduated from university, I had a steady job, and a nice (albeit expensive) studio apartment near my friends and family. But I wasn’t happy.
It was time for change—for what can exist without it, as Aurelius told me. Meanwhile, Seneca, another Stoic, explained to me that “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.” But while this sounded good, how does this translate into action? Again, a Stoic philosopher—this time by the name of Epictetus—gave me the answer: “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
So I decided to challenge myself and do something I had always dreamt of—moving abroad. I hatched my plan, booked a flight to the UK, canceled my lease, and waved goodbye to friends and family. If that isn’t a show of practical philosophy, I don’t know what is.
An Examined Mind
Now, more than a year later, I look back on that as one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Not because that choice brought me exclusively rainbows and sunshine—or even remotely what I expected. But in the past year, I have definitely faced my share of change, challenges, and subsequently, human gem polishing. I traveled, met a lot of new people, made a ton of mistakes, and learned many lessons. I left home on a plane to England and somehow ended up living in Greece. And I wouldn’t change any of it.
It’s safe to say that this experience has confirmed to me that Socrates’ words ring true. My examined life is way more worth living than the unexamined one I lived a year ago. And I wholeheartedly wish that everybody could adopt this examined mindset of retrospection and philosophy, improving their lives in the places where they need it most.
That’s why in this blog, I aim to make abstract philosophy tangible and actionable for everybody who feels stuck, wants to grow and improve themselves, or is just interested in philosophical wisdom without the hassle of reading every philosophical book out there.
So, do we need another philosophy blog? I would still say we probably don’t. But I know I do. Because through writing these blogs, I will challenge myself to change, make mistakes, and grow. Best case scenario? People will actually read this and find something helpful and entertaining. Worst case? I get to learn about philosophy while examining my own life, thereby making it worth living.
Sounds like a no-brainer to me. Stay tuned!
