The overall concept of philosophy is wise and based on reflection of all those common natures, behaviour and knowledges that seem to be common but in reality it was alien. While you study philosophy, you gain a viewpoint through you behold the ultimate reality which is unique for every person.
Studying philosophy involves understanding a fact and then trying to categorize in more specific way, but again there are arguments both supportive and criticizing. You may think that learning philosophy is interesting, and I am not condemning this fact, but there are some disadvantages. We all are aware; philosophy is not a rocket science. But diving deep can be harmful, as it grants you a perspective about life and once you had seen that gruesome side your whole existence is altered. The person you were before studying metaphysics is dead.
Let’s take a case, a child is happy with even chewy and sweet candies but years later this is not case with the same child who is now an adult. Why is it so? Because its values related to happiness changes, a change is viewpoint, quite simple but not easily visible. Scientists use microscope for studying tiny things like cells. Same logic is applied here; we use philosophy to study about these simple things.
You might be thinking, why my feelings are mixed. Well, it has both advantages and disadvantages. An aware individual can bring a change in society because their reaction is m calm. These people can work for social well beings. They can be great voters, citizens, writers, journalists, politicians, or we could conclude informed human beings. But philosophy and individuals’ opinions can differ and this lead to conflict.
Let’s assume that individuals can live happily even with different opinions. But what about those individuals who are completely altered version of themselves. With philosophy, you could meet real world that was hidden behind your ignorance, but these insights are not always creating positive mindset. Sometimes, it could make you hopeless and consuming more philosophical ideas can take us to a state of mind where you feel that you are not a person who knows about life and its meaning of existence. You may try to find your reason or ultimate happiness but road you choose can be proven harmful for others.
Thus, a balance is required while learning philosophy. But still its effects on individuals are different accordingly. For instance; a degree of communalism: –
• 1st degree is mild;
• 2nd degree involves hostility towards own people for the community as a whole (save tradition type); &
• 3rd degree involves hostile behavior towards others’ religions and believing that their faith is only the source of salvation.
For the above case, it should be noted that I am not approving that communalism is ethical philosophy. Instead, a mass feeling aroused from religious misunderstanding, a mispronounced philosophy of religious ethics. The affecting individuals develop diverse opinions leading to a social change both in positive and negative ways. Maybe, a balance could help but what is a human balance. This further questions about conclusion of philosophical dialogues but I do not see any end. The philosophy of “Ying and Yang” classifies about a balance, but what amount of equilibrium do we need and if it’s possible then who will determine that in number or quantity.
After reading major philosophers, a question about your existence that you had asked from at the beginning is still unsolved even attempted many times. You may find answer or maybe not but even with years of thinking you may feel as you are still there. But the voyage of philosophy is filled with adventures and you will gain a lot.
By Khushi Joshi
8/02/2024
4:15 PM