The Temple of Hera in The Valley of Temples, Agrigento by The Dysania Concept (2022)
Philosophers have existed among us since the 7th Century BC, and through their work, they have helped us bring sense to many aspects of life. The term Philosopher stems from Ancient Greece, which means “lover of wisdom,” as they live and work in search of answers, or truths, to different aspects of life. To find these, they rely on past knowledge and questions about life, values, mind, language and more. Nevertheless, to be a Philosopher, either professionally or as a way of life, we need a specific mindset. Therefore, in this edition of The Mindsets, we’ll explore the different qualities, virtues and skills Philosophers need to excel in their search for some of the biggest questions humanity has and how you can implement these in your life. As Danish Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard said, “Life must be understood backwards. But must be lived forward.”
1. Wonder
Philosophers must wonder to navigate the world in search of answers. As they develop their mind, hoping to digest and answer their questions, Philosophers have to observe, admire and appreciate the beauty of the world they live in, hoping for inspiration in their quests. Philosophers constantly feel amazed by the unfamiliar, the beautiful and the remarkable. Their will to keep exploring and feel astonished by their discoveries permits them to evolve their mind as they synchronise their thoughts and ideas with the knowledge they obtain from the world surrounding them. Similarly, we must never stop exploring and feeling amazed and appreciative of our discoveries. The only way to find a path towards an idea or a goal is to understand where you stand and what surrounds you. So go ahead and wonder about the everyday things you see, hear, smell, touch, taste and feel.
2. Open-Minded
Philosophers depend on their open-mindedness to critically discuss topics of interest and shape their ideas. In Philosophy, there are different approaches to understanding and developing answers. These Schools of Thought stem from different periods and Philosophers who disrupted the way of thinking at that time. Some major Schools of Thought are Academic Skepticism, Cynicism or Stoicism. Thus, for Philosophers to achieve the answer they are looking for, they must be open-minded to discuss their findings with different Philosophers who belong to other Schools of Thought. More importantly, they must be able to analyse their ideas through different perspectives to cover all possible resolutions. Therefore, when analysing an idea, a strategy or a goal, be open-minded to people’s constructive criticism and other methods of pursuit.
3. Intellectual Independence
Philosophers rely on their intellectual independence to develop their thought patterns and conclusions. Even though Philosophers should be open-minded when discussing ideas and thoughts, they count on their intellectual independence to be autonomous when concluding their research. A Philosopher’s intellectual independence permits them to engage freely in critical discussions and remain true to themselves, remembering their mind belongs to themselves and not to a shared pool of individuals. Thus, when discussing your ideas, thoughts or goals with others, listen to their constructive criticism and feedback, but remain intellectually independent as you build your mind.
A Philosopher’s primary tool is their mind and the qualities which shape it to research, understand and answer the questions that dwell within them. Therefore, a Philosopher must always wonder about their physical and mental surroundings. A Philosopher must always remain open-minded to counterarguments and alternative Schools of Thought. Nevertheless, they must always remain intellectually independent, informing themselves with different views and perspectives but deciding the most appropriate answer to their question independently. So, we invite you to adopt The Philosopher’s Mindset as we chase the answers we are currently pursuing and the upcoming ideas and goals that will grow within you.
If you want to know more about The Dysania Concept, read more in the ‘Who We Are’ section of the website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
コメント