Knowing to know!

 Philosophy! The very word appears boring to many. In an era dominated by makeshift solutions to the very concept of living (note, please, I did not say 'leading' which would be a more conscious and conscientious 'act'), philosophy would be boring to most, right? 

Yet the irony is that in the current scenario, if at all books are read, they are mostly about 'how to live', 'why to live', and 'when to live', given the meaningless rat race that life has been reduced to. Incidentally, in this epoch of robots robbing man of most all meaningful activities, significantly 'satsangs' by Sadhguru, Sri Sri and such are overflowing to capacity! Philosophy thus seems to matter.

What exactly is philosophy? The very word is a compound term which comes from two roots, philos and sophia. 'Philos' means the love of, while 'sophia' stands for wisdom. In brief, the very essence of philosophy is love of wisdom! In other words, philosophy is the staple diet of a meaningful life.

Philosophy is then intellection. It is analysis of the modes and methods of living, of trying to understand it. Socrates to Confucius, philosophers of all hues and varieties have attempted precisely this principle.

These thinkers tell us how to lead life meaningfully, too. In other words, philosophy is an ethical base of living. It makes precepts and practices poetically power-packed. Philosophy hence is in the words of Homer, and in the quotes crafted-n-created by the rishis and munis.

Does that mean philosophy is old and ancient? Yes and no! 'Yes' because it has been there from time immemorial, and 'no' because it constantly shifts, changes, assumes new avataars, finds new answers to old questions. 

In brief, philosophy which means 'know thyself', philosophy which means a 'life well lived', philosophy which means 'lead me from darkness to light' is everywhere, in religion, in literature, in science, and in ethics. Philosophy is the be-all and the end-all of the very existence. Happy World Philosophy Day!

Pratima@ "Thinking: the talking of the soul to itself" said Plato, while his disciple, Aristotle, opined wisdom is not a solo act, it is the daily practice!