Discover why philosophy matters in everyday life. Learn through real-world examples, key benefits, and how philosophy builds critical thinking and freedom of thought.
Table of Contents
Why Is Philosophy Important? – Simple Explanation for Students
- Philosophy is unavoidable – it affects everyone, whether you study it or not.
- Philosophical ideas are all around us in our daily life, society, and thoughts.
- You cannot escape its influence, even if you’re unaware of it.
- Philosophy shapes how we think, behave, and understand the world.
Summary
Philosophy is important because we can’t avoid it. Its ideas are present everywhere – in our surroundings, culture, and decisions. Whether we realize it or not, philosophy influences our thoughts and actions. That’s why it’s essential to understand it.
Real-Life Example of Philosophy: John Locke vs Thomas Hobbes
- Two children argue over a small mud house made near a river.
- Child 1 says: “I made it, so it’s mine.” – This reflects John Locke’s theory of property.
- Locke believed that if someone mixes their labour with natural resources, it becomes their private property.
- Child 2 says: “The mud belongs to everyone. I’ll break it if I want.” – This reflects Thomas Hobbes’ view.
- Hobbes believed that without laws or authority, no rules exist, and people do whatever they want.
- The disagreement shows how big philosophical ideas appear in small, everyday situations.
Summary
This simple story of two children fighting over a mud house shows deep philosophical ideas. One child supports Locke’s idea that hard work gives you ownership. The other shows Hobbes’ belief that without rules, there is no right or wrong. Even small moments in life reflect big questions in philosophy.
Are Our Decisions Truly Free? – Philosophy of Free Will Explained
- If you believe your decisions are not free and are shaped by past events, you’re following Thomas Hobbes and Leibniz.
- They believed every choice is the result of previous causes.
- Our actions are determined by our environment and past reasons.
- If you believe your choices are completely free, you’re following Rene Descartes and Jean-Paul Sartre.
- They believed in free will – the idea that humans can make choices independently.
- According to them, people are responsible for their own actions.
Summary
This example explains the debate on free will. Some philosophers like Hobbes and Leibniz say our decisions are not really free – they’re controlled by past causes. Others, like Descartes and Sartre, argue that we are free to choose and responsible for what we do. Your belief shows which side of this philosophical debate you agree with.
Freedom vs Morality: Plato and John Stuart Mill on Censorship
- Imagine watching a violent TV show with bad language. You think it should be banned to protect children.
- You file a court case, but the court refuses, saying we live in a free society where freedom of speech is important.
- Your view follows Plato, who believed that:
- A good society should guide people to become better.
- Any art, music, or content that harms society should be restricted.
- The court’s view follows John Stuart Mill, who believed:
- Freedom of speech and expression is essential in a free society.
- Even unpopular or harmful ideas should not be banned.
Summary
This example shows a clash between two views – protecting society vs protecting freedom. Plato believed in banning harmful content to improve society. John Stuart Mill supported freedom of expression, even if some content is disturbing. Both views help us think about the balance between safety and freedom.
How Philosophy Shapes Our Beliefs, Choices, and Daily Life
- Every major conflict in society – like Left vs Right, or Marxism vs Capitalism – is based on philosophical ideologies.
- Even personal life problems often come from conflicting beliefs or ideas we hold.
- Our beliefs and values are usually not original – we absorb them from our environment, culture, or people around us.
- These absorbed ideas influence every decision we make:
- What we study
- What we eat
- Who we vote for
- What books we read
- Even what color shirt we wear
- Every action starts as a thought – before doing anything, we think it first.
- Even not acting is influenced by philosophy. Your beliefs shape your experience of reality.
- Example: Two people watching the same sunrise may experience it differently based on their beliefs (heliocentric vs geocentric view).
- Your perception of the world is shaped by your inner ideas and assumptions.
- Most of these ideas don’t come from you – they come from philosophers, traditions, or cultures.
- Once you study philosophy, you’ll see that your thoughts might come from people like Gautam Buddha, Heraclitus, or Confucius.
Summary
Philosophy deeply affects how we think, feel, and act. We often adopt beliefs from others without realizing it. These ideas then guide all our choices – big and small. Even when we think we’re not doing anything, philosophy is still shaping our experience. Studying philosophy helps us understand where our thoughts come from and how they influence our lives.
Key Benefits of Studying Philosophy – Why It Still Matters Today
- 1. Attaining Freedom
- Most of our beliefs are unquestioned assumptions absorbed from society.
- Philosophy helps us break free from ignorance, as Buddha said, and understand the true nature of reality.
- This leads to inner freedom and self-awareness.
- 2. Understanding Your Own View
- Once you are free from false beliefs, you begin to discover your own perspective.
- Philosopher J. Krishnamurti said a conditioned mind is like a tape recorder – it only repeats others’ ideas.
- Philosophy helps you stop living through others’ views and start thinking for yourself.
- 3. Developing Critical Thinking
- Studying philosophy builds reasoning, logic, and problem-solving skills.
- These skills are useful in all areas: career, education, relationships, politics, and personal decisions.
- In today’s world, where we are constantly influenced by ads, media, influencers, and politics, critical thinking protects your mind from manipulation.
- Bonus Benefit – Interdisciplinary Power
- Philosophy connects deeply with many fields:
Psychology, neuroscience, journalism, communication, politics, history, religion, mathematics, law, policy-making, environmental studies, and more. - At the advanced level, you begin to see how philosophy supports and strengthens every domain of knowledge.
- Philosophy connects deeply with many fields:
Summary
Philosophy gives you three life-changing benefits: it frees your mind, helps you understand your own views, and builds critical thinking skills. In a world full of distractions and manipulation, these are essential tools. Beyond that, philosophy connects with every subject and enriches your understanding across all areas of life.
Is Philosophy Useful? Understanding Its Uncertainty and Practicality
- Philosophy deals with uncertain questions – it explores topics that don’t have fixed answers.
- This is not a flaw, but a feature. Uncertainty in philosophy encourages:
- Questioning
- Open-minded thinking
- Exploring multiple possibilities
- Throughout history, many sciences began as philosophy:
- Natural science (17th century)
- Psychology (18th century)
- Sociology and linguistics (19th century)
- Cognitive science (20th century)
- Once a subject becomes more certain and structured, it branches out of philosophy and becomes a separate field.
- That’s why philosophy is called the “Mother of All Disciplines.”
The Debate on Philosophy’s Practicality
- Critics say philosophy is not practical – unlike physics, whose benefits (like laptops or technology) help even those who never studied it.
- In contrast, philosophy directly benefits only those who study it.
- But it offers indirect benefits to everyone by shaping society’s thinking, ethics, and values.
- Bertrand Russell argued: If practicality only means material needs (food, clothes, shelter), then yes, the criticism is fair.
- But if we value things like:
- Wisdom
- Peaceful society
- Deep understanding of life
…then philosophy becomes deeply practical.
Summary
Philosophy’s uncertainty is not a weakness—it helps us think better and ask deeper questions. While it may not provide direct material benefits like other sciences, it builds the foundation for clear thinking and a meaningful life. If we value more than just survival, philosophy becomes not just useful, but essential.
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