September 18, 2006
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What is the Ideal Philosophy of Life?
This week's Socrates Cafe discussion question is an oft-pondered one; probably because it has so many personal answers, each depending on the psychology and situation of the individual.
Personally, I think an ideal life philosophy should have the following characteristics:
1. Obviously it must be personally satisfying.
2. It should be practical and achievable.
3. It should be one that does no deliberate harm to others, either physical or mental.
4. It should include intellectual growth and curiosity as primary elements.
5. It should include a strong moral content
6. It should include a healthy and active lifestyle.I've answered this from the point of view of an individual; but enlarging it to include the life philosophy of a Society or Culture would probably not change it much.
Albert Schweitzer, the humanistic philosopher often mentioned his personal philosophy: "Resist Not Evil". I'm not sure I could completely agree with that extreme view, but it is an interesting one.
I'll ponder this a little more and see if I can come up with an equally pithy phrase.
Comments (13)
How are the conditions arrived at for deciding on an ultimate philosophy without having a more ultimate "pre-philosophy" if you will? Isn't there a bit of begging the question in your response?
I am inclined to ask 'why?' on almost every one of your criteria, simply because I can think of a few life philosophies that don't do these things, but that seem to 'work' for the people that use them. So I want to get more basic. What is the proper function of a life philosophy for an individual?
The characteristics you identify all seem to apply to an individual life. Would not an "ideal" philosophy apply equally to all?
Eddie: From my perspective, the "pre-philosophy" you mention is that set of basic values which your culture lays on you as a small child and which follows you throughout your life. I did not spell out my ideal philosophy, which would certainly start with the admonition to " First, Know Thyself".
Cerulean: An individual's life philosophy pretty much defines that person. Most of us probably have only rather vague ill defined ideas of what we think would be the "ideal" philosophy of life. I would think a person's world view would be the primary force in guiding his whole life.
Reluctant: Yes.
With this exception: An ideal philosophy of life or world view would very much be influenced by the person's or culture's history and environment and I don't think a "one size fits all" would work except in the most basic terms. For example the drive to live, which all organisms seem to share, would be a starting point of all life philosophies.
It seems to me that most people shy away from knowing themselves and generating a consistant firmly expressed philosophy of life. Those of us who are fully committed to a cause or goal seem to have a more recognizable philosophic viewpoint.
What do you-all think an ideal philosophy of life should include?
RYC: ones that apply to my life, I guess
"What do you-all think an ideal philosophy of life should include?"
I think the attempt at knowing thyself is important. To that end, the ideal life philosophy should be flexible enough to grow with you--otherwise you might grow out of it.
A good post on a difficult question. I thought I'd just read what others had to say on the subject and then comment from the questions that the posts caused me to think. However, one criteria for an ideal philosophy should be to "love one another." I know this is easier to say than to do, but until we people of the world learn to do that, all other philosophies fall short, in my opinion. The second criteria has already been mentioned: "To know one's self." Interesting discussion.
Peace.
Thank you, I always appreciate your advice. Family issues are always the hardest and I am at the point that I also believe distance is best. Sad but true.
Dear Dick,
This entry seems to give an overall guideline for establishing a philosophy, without delineating that philosophy, and as a set of quidelines, I can find nothing "wrong". However, your statement that "enlarging it for society" would not change it much. Don't you think that it's nearly impossible to describe an overall philosophy for mankind or society? Wouldn't any such philosophy, by nature be agreeable to some and disagreeable to others?
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
Mike, I think historically, you can find some Society-wide philosophic viewpoints. What we know of the ancient Egyptians seems to show a society with an amazingly cohesive world view. The same is true of the Classical Greeks and Romans - the Romans even posted theirs publically - The famous "Twelve Tables of the Law". You could make much the same argument for the ancient Hebrews and certainly Medieval Europe. Having a culture-wide philosophic outlook does not necessarily mean being in agreement on all - or even most - issues.
If you'll note: My perfect Philosophic Viewpoint was just that, a philosophic viewpoint - or framework if you will.
Go down the list. I know of lots of people whose philosophic viewpoint doesn't include any of the points i listed.
I am wondering do you think most people attempt to formulate a philosophy to lIve by , or to they simply fall into patterns of behavior based on some basic understanding of social and legal expectrations?
Mia's question is sort of like "Do you want to go to Chicago, or by car?"
I think most people's personal philosophy is made up of patterns of behavior they have learned as a result of their culture or sub-culture and which they use to formulate their world view. But Mia is right - most people never consciously consider their philosophy.
A question to consider: When a person does finally contemplate his/her philosophy of life, is she/he likely to change it?
Fantastic blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.