Philosophy
Essays:
Philosophy
is the oldest science. It is the study of the truths or
principles underlying all knowledge and being. Several
thousand years ago people investigating the world around
them found the subject to be quite complex. They asked the
same questions children today ask. “Why is grass green?”
“What is thunder?” “Why do dogs bark?” “What’s
that smell?” As they learned more about specific areas
these became sciences of their own, botany, astronomy,
chemistry, physics, etc.Philosophy remains as the study of, well, what’s left. The questions that have not been answered in any way that the majority of those studying them can agree upon.
| Thinking | Living | Reading |
Why bother trying to find the purpose, mission, aim of life? Why bother trying to figure out how we came about or what, if anything, there is beyond life?
For me there are two reasons.
First, the pleasure of thinking.
Second, to try to figure out how best to live my life.
Why write these thoughts and put them somewhere that others might read them? I’m not sure.
I like these thoughts and it would feel good if others did too.
I suppose I feel that someone might find some truth for themselves that would make their life better. That would feel good.
But there is also a risk, albeit small, that someone would take these thoughts as gospel, a doctrine regarded as of prime importance. These thoughts may be that for me--by me, of me, for me. But for you, dear reader, they can be no more than ideas, notions that may stimulate thoughts in you. I hope they bring you pleasure.
Mort Mather, winter, 2001