Why philosophy
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Unless you're a student or teacher in the philosophy world, odds are that images of old, white, bearded men and beanie-wearing stoners pop into your head when you think about philosophy.
While sciences, art, entertainment, politics, and news have taken to open forum and social media platforms in order to gain access to a broader audience and allow global sharing, many of the more traditional academics--like literature and philosophy--are far behind. Classic literature and philosophy don't generally have the qualities necessary for high regard in our fast-paced society of short attention spans and the drug of instant gratification.
Philosopher's share ideas not to find a solution to problems or even for much pragmatic use. The kinds of questions asked, at least in philosophy of mind, tug at the most fundamental ideas of human existence. In the first three minutes of renowned David Chalmers' TED talk on consciousness, he outlines the tenets of philosophy of mind.
So how does all this relate to being thoughtful, active citizens of the world?
Philosophy of the mind deals with the very essence of what it means to be human. Philosophical exercises question the existence of free will and attempt to solidify what aspects of life determine truth. Shaping how we think is central to our human journey, as individuals and as a communities, and recognizing where we stand on these fundamental issues affects how we behave and how we view the issues we're called upon by our social media peers to weigh in on.
While sciences, art, entertainment, politics, and news have taken to open forum and social media platforms in order to gain access to a broader audience and allow global sharing, many of the more traditional academics--like literature and philosophy--are far behind. Classic literature and philosophy don't generally have the qualities necessary for high regard in our fast-paced society of short attention spans and the drug of instant gratification.
Philosopher's share ideas not to find a solution to problems or even for much pragmatic use. The kinds of questions asked, at least in philosophy of mind, tug at the most fundamental ideas of human existence. In the first three minutes of renowned David Chalmers' TED talk on consciousness, he outlines the tenets of philosophy of mind.
- We are conscious beings with minds.
- As conscious beings, we can smell, taste, touch, hear, see, sense the movements of our body. (Phenomenology)
- As conscious beings, we have accessible, trustworthy, reliable, and integral memories. (Cognitive Phenomenology)
- As conscious beings, we have internal thoughts about other things. (Intentionality)
- Even as conscious beings, we don't know why or how we are conscious.
So how does all this relate to being thoughtful, active citizens of the world?
Philosophy of the mind deals with the very essence of what it means to be human. Philosophical exercises question the existence of free will and attempt to solidify what aspects of life determine truth. Shaping how we think is central to our human journey, as individuals and as a communities, and recognizing where we stand on these fundamental issues affects how we behave and how we view the issues we're called upon by our social media peers to weigh in on.