What Do We Think We Are?
© Tatiana Velitchkov

“We are better than you”. These are the convictions and attitudes that we cherish and treasure as human beings. However, why do we think we are better than others? Largely, such attitudes are brought about by how we are brought up socially, and partly politically; although, it’s the individual’s viewpoint that develop the fundamental perspective of collective social-cultural convictions against others. Apparently, it is these attitudes, paranoia and fear that we have adopted, leading to increased antagonism in the global environment.

Where can we find ourselves back? It’s from the roots of our personal standpoints in regard to how we perceive members of the human society that do not share social-cultural, and, or political commonness. Its through this we shall be able to appreciate others, and ultimately appreciate ourselves best. Or social mind’s eye manifested through our families, education system, religion, sports and creative arts, among others develops the social-cultural views that we possess within us. Communally engaging activities are among the most powerful vehicles of such development that largely shape and put into somebody various notions of our “human being”.

For sure, we are not immune to the external influence, especially from the modern culture. The modern culture that surrounds us brings forth compositional approaches and alternative social methodologies, but still we tend to be tethered around ethnocentrism among other divisiveness. Sadly, this has been cemented by the contemporary media which still tend to hold and show the human divisiveness such as racism, sexism and individualism, among others. The beauty of modern society is in appreciating human diversity. Not seeing yourself as “better than him”, but seeing him different from you. Through this we will be able to make today’s social baggage as an accepted standard of life, and enjoy life. Else, we become what we think we are.

The Philosophy of Philosophy
© Tatiana Velitchkov

Philosophy can not be accurately defined. Any definition that seeks to define philosophy deems to be debatable, and at times controversial. However, in characterizing it according to its distinctive system of beliefs and critique, we can generally say that philosophy is the study of existence, values, beliefs, mind, knowledge and nature. However, philosophy goes beyond that, and the only way to understand it is to understand the philosophy of philosophy. What are the values and morals of philosophy? What does philosophy seek to unravel? What is the ultimate justification of philosophy?

Fundamentally, philosophy seeks to inquire concepts surrounding human being. Although some have translated it as human sciences, it goes beyond that. Perhaps, we can say that philosophy is about critical thinking. According to Wilfred Hodges, English philosophy, as well as the entire Western philosophy, you are not to take things to believe, especially if they seem incontestable and obvious. You have to take a “second order” inquiry rather than base your trust on emotions and perceptions. Although the line between the “second order” thinking and the “first order” thinking may be unclear, the subject matter here is “thinking about thinking” on the basis of the way of human thinking.

Philosophy is distinct from other human sciences in the way it seeks to answer questions of existence and conditions of humankind through logic, natural phenomenon, mysticism (or mythology), aesthetics and relationship between beliefs, truth and justification. On values, philosophy concerns itself on the question of morals or ethics; how is a human being supposed to live? What are the various ethical systems in existence, and how do they influence on the way of thinking? Its central approach in unraveling such phenomenon is through reasoned argument; while as the origin meaning of the study translates (philosophia in Greek) the soul of philosophy is the “Love of Wisdom”.

If you are interested – see this: Heidegger life and Philosophy video 1 of 6