Let me start by saying that philosophy is incredibly fun to read. For all you haters out there who think that philosophy is just a bunch of windbags pontificating about the impossible, well, you’re partly right. There’s a lot of pontification on questions that have no answers, but that’s not the point.
Let’s get to the point.
In “A Gentleman in Moscow,” Count Rostov, the protagonist of Amor Towles incredible novel says, “It’s a fact of human life that one must eventually choose a philosophy.” He goes on to say, “Whether through careful consideration spawned by books and spirited debate over coffee at two in the morning, or simply from a natural proclivity, we must all eventually adopt a framework…”
Even if you believe the universe is irrational and meaningless, you’re still a part of a framework of thinking – in this case, it would be Absurdism, a philosophy symbolized by the image of Sisyphus left to push a boulder up a hill for the rest of eternity. And, if you were in this camp, I would direct you to read Albert Camus.
Consider going to the bookstore this week and looking through the philosophy section. See what you find there, and if anything sticks out. You might be drawn to books about Metaphysics and the purpose of life. Is there a God? What does it mean to be? Or perhaps the books on logic look more magnetic to you. Maybe you’re a nature person and Thoreau looks interesting (no pun intended, but the guy did have an interesting look). Or, maybe you’re into the origin of right and wrong and you want to swashbuckle with Nietzsche, Kant, and Aristotle.
Whatever floats your boat, you’ve got questions in that head of yours and there are some great books that explore them. Leave me a comment and let me know what you found. I’d love to chat about it.
Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
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