We are living in a culture that believes that science is the only valid way of knowledge. Instincts and tradition have become left aside. We are experiencing an age of rapid change, increasingly scarce resources, growing population, cultural mixing and many uncertainties about the future.

The fact that stress and culture can be among the primary causing factors of depression makes it clear that depression cannot be defined simply as a “brain disease”. That we need to attack depression from other angles such as the culture in which we live in.

It is thus that we do not live anymore, and rationalize reasons as not to think anymore, and in our downfall in which we are too much submerged to realize, we will hit bottom and ourselves obliterate without realizing what our hands have wrought.

Existence does not require justifications, when one begins to justify, one has already ceased to live.

In Nietzsche’s words:

Might not this very Socratism be a sign of decline, of weariness, of infection, of the anarchical dissolution of the instincts? And the “Greek cheerfulness” of the later Greeks—merely the afterglow of the sunset? The Epicureans resolve against pessimism—a mere precaution of the afflicted? And science itself, our science—indeed, what is the significance of all science, viewed as a symptom of life? For what—worse yet, whence—all science? How now? Is the resolve to be so scientific about everything perhaps a kind of fear of, an escape from, pessimism? A subtle last resort against—truth? And, morally speaking, a sort of cowardice and falseness? Amorally speaking, a ruse? O Socrates, Socrates, was that perhaps your secret? O enigmatic ironist, was that perhaps your—irony?

What became evident to me after a while was that those questions were moot because at it’s core and perhaps on it’s surface, philosophy IS a subject that is rewarding and gratifying on a personal level. The goal of a philosopher, therefore, should be revealing the many layers that lie under the surface but above the core. Namely, practical applications of philosophical principles.

It is a sweeping generalization to say that academic philosophers pursue their practice primarily out of a desire for social statues because philosophy, despite its nature, is a very insular field. What I mean is that the only people reading the work of philosophers are more than likely philosophers or aspiring philosophers. In that sense, the writings are not to achieve social status but to further the study of a subject.

The practice of philosophy can seem to be nothing more than jockeying to be the top philosopher in whatever field but in reality, that is just the way the subject is. Even Descartes and Plato had to stand up to questioning from their contemporaries. In that sense it’s more call and response than it is jocking for social status.

This was a wonderful post. Very thought-provoking. I am so glad that I read it.

Although I’ve noticed that lately, some trolls are running their own blogs. These tend not to get much in the way of traffic, but they are up there. Usually they have a life of a few months before the troll gets bored, but in that time they can really churn a prolific amount of content…..

If the former, you have a good philosophy for life, one worth sharing and affirming.

I am cynical of your claims however. You have talked the language of “wants”, where before you only talked of three basic needs. If I were to take you at your word, I would expect that I’d never see you wanting anything you didn’t already have — not even the latest Dr Who DVD box-set.

I know people who say ‘God loves me and that is all that matters’, but they all too soon forget such a myth, and their own words and actions betray it. It is good that they have such sentiments, but all too sad that they are fleeting.

I hope that the delight in your life remains constant.

I do believe persistent states of happiness are possible, but that it requires training and meditation, and above all, philosophising. I think that Buddhist Monks are a good example of this.

For myself, I can’t think of any way that I would change my life, it is exactly the way I want it. So because I am already delighted with every aspect of my life, your kind of philosophy would be surplus to requirements, and utterly useless to me.

Good Luck with your endeavours!

What has philosophy done for me? (The blogging is only one aspect). Well it hasn’t helped me tangibly in terms of increasing the size of my wallet, or gifting me a larger penis (unforunately), but here’s just a few things it has done:

- It has fine-tuned my ‘bullshit detector’, which is important because it prevents you from being taken on a ride by others
- It has helped me define who am I and what I will be in relation to the rest of society
- It has provided consolation at times
- It has assisted me in making many important life decisions, through considering broader implications of my action
- It has increased my happiness by seeing through the myths that would prevent it
- It has helped me appreciate life more