Inside us there is something that has no name, that something is what we are.
- Jose Saramago

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Home » Philosophy - the best subject in the world

Philosophy - the best subject in the world

The first reason why Philosophy is the best and most important subject in the world, is because it gives us the opportunity to think more deeply about the subjects that really matter to us as individuals and to societies, nations and humanity itself.

These include such questions as:

What is truth?
Who am I?
What is this creation?
What is my part in it?
What is freedom?
How may real satisfaction and happiness be found in life?

Everyday life often seems so full of pushes and pulls that it can be hard to address such matters in as full a way as we might wish. Philosophy gives the opportunity to come to a greater understanding of such questions, to examine our own thoughts and attitudes. This is regardless of our background, creed or age. As the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus said:

Let no one be slow to seek wisdom when he is young,

nor weary in the search of it when he has grown old.

For no age is too early or too late for the benefits of philosophy.

(Letter to Menoeceus)

The second reason why philosophy is so important as a subject is because it deals in the realm of causes and ideas which govern human life. This is regardless of whether we as individuals are familiar with the names of particular philosophers or the precise nature of the ideas they formulated.

For example Plato lived over two thousand years ago and what he said about such subjects as the nature of truth, justice and beauty have formed the starting point for so much of western thinking since that time. During the introductory course in philosophy we consider some of these ideas. The point is however that the world in which we live has been shaped by philosophy. Whether we would agree with particular ideas or not, whether we think they tend towards human happiness or misery, the fact is that ideas are important.

The third reason why the study and practice of philosophy is so commended is that it opens the mind and heart to greater possibilities in life. For example, a life free from petty concerns and selfish desires which can thus be of real value to the world in which one lives. The study and practice of philosophy makes possible a life lit by great and inspiring ideas and guided by principles more enduring than personal likes and dislikes, a life which is natural, devoid of artificiality, superficiality or complexity.

These are some of the reasons why the study of philosophy is so valuable.