Why do Philosophy?
In life, there are several questions remain unanswered. There are questions like Is there God?, Is there any proof for the existence of God? What makes man truly human? What is the real meaning of life?
Undeniably, there are persons who have at least some interest of the questions mentioned above. They want to pursue philosophical inquiry, and they also want to know why they want to know it. For the persons who have insatiable spirit in knowing the answers to their own questions, they engage in philosophical inquiry as best they know how. For those not yet convinced of the importance of pursuing philosophical inquiry,I present three reason for such pursuit.
First, the unexamined life is not worth living. This idea we have borrowed from one of the most respected of all philosophers, Socrates. For him, the very fact that we have the ability to inquire into the nature and meaning of life constitutes sufficient reason to make such an inquiry. The person who does not ask questions, entertain doubts, and reflect on life, has not lived; he or she has merely existed. If you want a meaningful, rich life, it simply must be examined.
Second, the value of life depends more on quality than on quantity. In other words, in terms of the meaning and richness of life, some people of seventy are worse off than others who die at thirty. This idea we borrow from John Stuart Mill, whom you will meet in Utilitarianism and On Liberty.
Third, philosophy enables us to achieve a greater degree of self-knowledge and self-fulfillment than we otherwise could. To explain this idea, it is necessary to introduce an essay by Abraham H. Maslow, in an essay on human motivation, identifies a hierarchy of human needs. In order to satisfy these needs, people are motivated to perform certain functions or to pursue certain activities.
[Reference: An Introduction to Philosophy]
First, the unexamined life is not worth living. This idea we have borrowed from one of the most respected of all philosophers, Socrates. For him, the very fact that we have the ability to inquire into the nature and meaning of life constitutes sufficient reason to make such an inquiry. The person who does not ask questions, entertain doubts, and reflect on life, has not lived; he or she has merely existed. If you want a meaningful, rich life, it simply must be examined.
Second, the value of life depends more on quality than on quantity. In other words, in terms of the meaning and richness of life, some people of seventy are worse off than others who die at thirty. This idea we borrow from John Stuart Mill, whom you will meet in Utilitarianism and On Liberty.
Third, philosophy enables us to achieve a greater degree of self-knowledge and self-fulfillment than we otherwise could. To explain this idea, it is necessary to introduce an essay by Abraham H. Maslow, in an essay on human motivation, identifies a hierarchy of human needs. In order to satisfy these needs, people are motivated to perform certain functions or to pursue certain activities.
[Reference: An Introduction to Philosophy]
