Should we be interested in philosophy or is it only for fools and dreamers? Is it a topic that can be taught and if so how? And most importantly, why? Is philosophy something illusional and useless; how could it be as the pillar on which all sciences are based? Before tackling these burning questions, let ' s start by considering the ideas humanity lives and dies for, what is fights for and defends; creativity, endurance, morality and inspirational ideas are all based on philosophy, as the latter is their Mother and their Source. The policy of a human ' s life, the choices and priorities are the result of the philosophy they hold, whether or not this happens consciously. Moreover, humans are born with survival instincts but not with instincts that dictate to them what they should think or believe in. What, how and where to believe and what to need. They are born with the innate ability to think, choose and decide. If egoism( aka lack of knowledge) leads us to a spiritual desert, philosophy leads us to an oasis that revives and rebuilds the triptych of mind- body and soul. The value of philosophy is the awakening and clarity of spirit, and by this term we mean the combination of mind( logic and the chain of thoughts) with all the emotional aspects of a human. Every human being eventually reaches a crossroads in his / her life where answers to fundamental questions need to be answered; in order to strike a fine line between balance and integrity. This is why delving into philosophy helps us comprehend what lies deep down in our souls: in the foundation of societies, what is implied in all kinds of human communication and what causes certain activities, actions and reactions. Otherwise, we mutilate ourselves while following someone else ' s philosophy of life, their life, not ours. What then is the cost and the profit to be gained by philosophical contemplation?( If any?) Throughout history, most people who have been known as great philosophers * aka risk takers * were either persecuted or discriminated, killed and or banished as scape goats.( Socrates, Heraclitus, Epicure, Galileo, Nietzsche, Reich, and so many others). However, at the same time, those who dared to study, breathe and embody philosophy as a way of life have been the real creators of the values and role models many people used as a compass in life. They were able to look within themselves and they created conscious mindsets and healthy orientations. As the old adage goes " here ' s the thorn and here ' s the rose, too.’ Do we need light and enlightenment? Fragrance and superiority in spirit? If the answer is yes, then we must ponder and philosophize about the beauty of comprehension that comes after the thorns of ignorance are removed.
Vassiliki Mandalou from Greece speaking on Happiness and Philosophy
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