2017-10-25
517
So far we have discussed the first stage of the philosophical journey: exploring the person’s perimeter. But in what sense is this stage philosophical? Where is philosophy in this kind of exploration?
To some extent, philosophical thinking appears from the very beginning in the form of critical thinking. I use critical thinking when I discover the patterns that characterize my behavior, emotions, and thoughts. I use critical thinking when I formulate the conceptions which these patterns express—the “theories” that are embodied in my attitudes. And I use critical thinking when I discern the forces that maintain these patterns and conceptions. Critical thinking is part of philosophical reasoning, in the traditional sense of philosophy. A person trained in traditional philosophy therefore has a considerable advantage in such explorations.
But the main place for philosophizing comes afterwards: Once I note the general outlines of my (or another person’s) perimeter, it is time to explore it in greater detail. And to do so, I investigate my conceptions just as I investigate philosophical theories: I analyze central concepts, I note logical connections or contradictions, I expose hidden assumptions and logical implications, and evaluate how reasonable they are.
For example, a philosophical analysis might reveal that in Mary’s world the concept of freedom implies spontaneity. Or, it might show that Mike’s notion of friendship is contradictory, because it requires both dependence and independence. It might reveal that Martha’s world revolves around a fundamental distinction between the lofty and the trivial, the high and the low. And it might reveal that Steve’s conception of romantic relations is based on a hidden assumption that pleasure means selfishness.
In order to carry out this philosophical analysis, several skills are important. First, we need a good capacity to reason, and specifically a capacity for critical thinking.
Second, we must be experienced in formulating theories, particularly philosophical theories. After all, conceptions are personal theories, and formulating theories is precisely what we do when we explore a person’s conception.
Third, we should be familiar with a variety of philosophical theories from the history of philosophy. The history of philosophy contains treasures of ideas, and it makes no sense to try to re-invent the wheel. Without previous knowledge, it is very difficult to formulate a conception of the meaning love, for example, or the nature of freedom. If we have a good historical background we can use it as a basis for comparing ideas, modifying them, adapting, combining, contrasting, and in this way formulating the details of the conception in question. We must therefore be familiar with theories about everyday topics such as love, meaning, justice, freedom, and the like. Unfortunately, mainstream philosophy deals primarily with highly abstract issues, and many everyday topics receive little attention in academic philosophy programs.
Fourth, we should have philosophical imagination and creativity. Historical knowledge alone is not enough, because actual people don’t fit into ready-made theories. Each life is a different world with unique patterns and conceptions, and only through creative thinking can we understand its distinctive geography.
In sum, a philosophical background is very important in the exploration of the person’s perimeter. Those who do not have this background can be helped by experienced philosophers in workshops, companionships, or counseling conversations.
