As you know philosophers are men in sandals who wear togas and wander about thinking about things. Or at least they did in the old days when Greek thinking was important. Thinking anywhere is important, especially when answering a lassies question regarding her looks, and while the Greeks became famous for questioning things surely people had asked similar questions before? I suspect the answer lies in God. The Greeks, like most others, had plenty of them but the so called 'philosophers' began to ask questions about how life came to be, what is it for, and does God really exist. These questions had always been seen in a theological context up till then, it appears to me, but Thales and those who followed him made thinking outside of gods popular. Another reason for the lack of thought was that most folk were to busy doing what they were told or just making a living. Very few agricultural workers became philosophers, and the same could be said for the chaps enslaved to a life down the silver mines. However if pushed they would have been doing some very deep thinking about life much of the time.You see philosophy is just thinking and we all do that, yes even FishHawk!
The Cambridge Online Dictionary describes Philosophy thus :-
Philosophy
noun
1 [U] the use of reason in understanding such things as the nature of reality and existence, the use and limits of knowledge and the principles that govern and influence moral judgment:
René Descartes is regarded as the founder of modern philosophy.
See also PhD.
2 the philosophy of sth a group of theories and ideas related to the understanding of a particular subject:
the philosophy of education/religion/science
3 [C] a particular system of beliefs, values and principles:
the Ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism
4 [C usually singular] INFORMAL someone's approach to life and their way of dealing with it:
Live now, pay later - that's my philosophy of life!
So there!
Personally I always consider this subject from the point of view of C.E.M. Joad. he was a man famous around the time of the second world war, another one the Yanks were late arriving for, and he edited the 'Teach Yourself Philosophy' book at that time. In the third page he quoted a paragraph from what he called Britain's top philosopher of the day. It was rubbish! It almost filled the page of the small book and as Joad asked, "What did it say?" Nothing! It was complete gibberish! I note Joad's edition is no longer available! However that is indeed what the subject means today - intellectual exercise that goes nowhere! Fun for some, especially those that don't want to believe in God, God is too practical and demanding!
Some Thinking men, we will not consider women as thinkers surely.........?
Thales, considered the first real philosopher, some say was attempting to understand the world and be practical. he however thought magnets have souls apparently, so he should be dealt with carefully.
Empedocles, thought the earth was a ball, indeed his slaves may have disagreed, he explained everything came from earth, fire, water and air. Good for him, a thinking man! However he also thought he was a god, and to prove this jumped into the volcano called Mount Etna. I suppose he reappeared during the next eruption but this is not recorded.
Pythagorus. He spent far too much time working on maths problems to confuse a lazy little brat in an Edinburgh primary school to really be of much interest. However he played on an triangle apparently and spent his time learning geometry, even though he was the only one who understood that language. He also believed in reincarnation, and considered all things, even plants to be reincarnated folk. This gave him problems as a vegetarian! It is said he was being chased by his enemies and refused to cross a field because he did not want to hurt the souls growing there. His enemies killed him! I suppose he didn't give a 'tin of beans' about it?
Socrates. This guy was a bore! He questioned everybody about everything, and got up their noses. Eventually this shabbily dressed pain in the neck was given Hemlock and bumped off. Some however question this as the description of his death does not fit the effects of Hemlock. Just who have they tried it out on to discover this I ask?
Crinis a Stoic. Imperturbable people Stoics. Marcus Aurelius the Roman Emperor was one, get on with life whatever the situation. Be indifferent to problems. Apparently he died when a mouse leapt down on him and frightened him to death.
These were early philosophers and the subject was discussed for years after them. Aristotle became famous for being one, and he influenced the Roman Catholic church, which is all you need to know about him, and them when you think about it. You can read about Aquinas. Burke, Hume, Russell and a whole host of other thinking folk but when I do I am left wondering what they were actually achieving? Think about things by all means. Consider the world, but how many were full of their own biased opinions. How many early philosophers shaped their thoughts on the backs of their slaves? Indeed how many thinking folk in later years never gave much thought to the conditions of the poor around them? Were they good people to know? Did they love life, their wives, care for their people? Does philosophy today actually achieve anything other than entertain the thinking middle classes and keep such weirdos off the street? Would they not be better playing rugby, or did having their heads bashed during school rugby matches lead them into this easy way off life?
Enough of this. My head hurts now. Knowing right from wrong and attempting to follow it means you will be happier, have many questions answered, and have more time to think about things that matter, football, ice cream, sleeping, and reading intellectually stimulating blogs.
By the by, Joad himself came to a bad end. Famous as he was because of his appearances on the wireless during the war, appearances that brought him many enemies, he had become a habitual fare dodger on the railways. Caught on one famous occasion and fined £2 by the court, a good fine at the time, he lost his job at the BBC amongst other public appearances. Soon became ill and within five years he was deceased! Philosophers suffer badly it seems.......
