Life Can Be Absurd, But The Consolations Of Philosophy Can Do Us All Good.
Temet Nosce
Know Thyself' is the sign above the door that Neo sees in The Matrix movies, and this is a basic fundamental that allows us all to practice philosophy. This was the major teaching of Socrates.
Philosophy allows us to know our own true nature and how we interact with others, and this can ultimately make us happy in the end. It allows us to address the difficult issues in life that we struggle with - without us despairing too much. There is nothing so bad that we need give up entirely.
The above paragraph was indeed a well known truth and central to all in education during the early Christian periods.
Moral decline
So could the decline in Western morals and standards be responsible for the loss of this education? Have we lost all happiness associated with it?
Our schools, universities and social media do little to reinvigorate this attitude amongst society. A lot of anti-depressants could be done away with if people were armed with an interest in philosophy instead - it would help bring meaning to their absurd lives.
There are no winners in the modern world when the prizes on offer are power, sex, money and glory. Monetary value never lasts because we don't physically last forever.
We cannot learn the one truth in life that money is God and forget poverty. We can't worship poverty just to escape the love of money. Whether we be rich or poor, we can be sick or healthy. Philosophy teaches us if we approach either with a calm equanimity, then we'll always be happy regardless of the outcome.
Muse on my philosophical friends
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The old problem of intrinsic value vs. instrumental value. Unfortunately, we seem to be stuck in a culture of instrumental values. We only do certain things for what they will get us and not for the value they have in and of themselves. Hope you had a great birthday and had all kinds of intrinsic moments of joy. :)
Correct Kobie. Intrinsic value vs. instrumental value - and yes! Lots of 'in the moment' intrinsic joys on my birthday yesterday. Thank you :)
There are priorities in life and one needs a full stomache and a roof over their heads before engaging in philosophy.....unless like Socrates one has lots of good friends.....and enemies.
Forget the roof too much and you might need to drink some poison ;)
P.S. Recommended read for philosophy newbies: How Proust Can Change Your Life by Alain de Botton.