The Literary Art

In our time the activity of philosophy unfortunately has dwindled from major to minor pursuit. In universities, where for thousands of years it was the main stream of intellectual life-refreshing Western thought, this has evaporated to a trickle of courses no philosopher would recognize.

Tragedy? Or is it, ironically, one of the concomitants of “progress?” Is the pursuit of philosophy important to well-being? What is philosophy? Who is a philosopher?

Literally, a philosopher is a “lover of wisdom,” important because the activities of love and wisdom are essential to the good life. Yet Plato’s philosopher was a seeker of truth inquiring into the pervasive, unavoidable questions. What is truth? Does it exist? If so, what kind of thing is it? A fact? What is happiness? Why do we pursue it? What is freedom? Is there immortality? If so, what is it? What evidence supports this?

It is unlikely that a great writer, or a great in any field, achieves genuine excellence without adventuring into philosophical inquiry. The decline of Western philosophy began in the 16th Century with the rise of empiricism. “Facts, nothing but the facts,” clucked Detective Sergeant Joe Friday. Yet philosophy is never hostile to facts. The second phase in the decline, 19th Century pragmatism, then 20th Century scientism.

There are several kinds of philosophy. Today’s “science” was once called natural philosophy. Moral philosophy is inquiry into right and wrong. Political philosophy, the study of government, power, relation of ruler to ruled. Metaphysics stretches beyond mere nature to ask the ultimate questions about the really real.

One need not be intimidated. Though in some cases philosophy has its own language, one simply has to learn the vocabulary.

Philosophy is for anyone. It can be pursued in leisure hours after work or on weekends. The young should be stimulated to philosophical discussion at the dinner table or in the car, encouraged to ask the deepest, most dangerous intellectual questions. The unexamined life really is not worth living. Discuss with children or friends the relative/absolute controversy. When they disagree, don’t kill them.

How to begin? Purchase a blank notebook of comfortable size. Ask general and big questions, one per page or so. What is happiness? It is, you say, a feeling. I know it, when I feel it. Yes, but feelings are ephemeral and transient. They are not things upon which to build the foundation of the life of truth. However, thought (i.e. understanding) is, by contrast, more stable and definitive. Until I’ve learned what happiness is, how can I know if I’m happy? For happiness is not a permanent possession; it is act of recovery, exploration and discovery.

Secondly, hit a library, or buy one of many Intros to Philosophy available, e.g. Robert C. Solomon’s, to find ideas for further reading and thought.

What is not philosophy? Opinion. Our current Secretary of State last spring told a major university’s graduating class there had never been a successful person who was not an optimist. What did she mean by “successful” and “optimist?” What kind of success? Optimistic about oneself or the world?

Martin Luther was indeed successful; but optimistic? Or was Martin Luther King unsuccessful? Luther said, “History is the long and tragic story of the fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light …but …groups are more immoral …” Sound optimistic?

Our governor recently addressed another graduating class, offering the following. I paraphrase: “If I can leave you with any advice, it’s this. Be aware of change. It is the fundamental fact of life. If you can absorb this idea into your life, you will go forward; if not, you will not.”

With no cognizance of the man’s intellectual background, whether this is something he read, was taught or arrived at on his own, it is philosophical and what is genuinely philosophical is always useful while opinion has only the appearance of usefulness. And the governor’s remarks just happen to coincide with the central philosophy of the greatest of early Greek thinkers, Heraclitus: “No man steps in the same river twice.”

In the former case, the mind is allowing its intelligence to be used, while in the later it is using its intelligence.

To philosophize is not to escape, but confront reality. It is an art of contemplation, and through that discovery. Does it threaten theology or faith? How could the genuinely religious mind be threatened by the search for truth?

A philosopher doesn’t wear a long face or dark beard. Comic geniuses Woody Allen and Steve Martin both majored in philosophy because they wanted the big picture and their creative works reflect capacious intellects.

“A lover of wisdom.” To love is to be passionate enough about something to regard the object of love above oneself. Because wisdom is knowledge supported by experience, the young are seldom though to be wise. Wisdom is not a trophy. It can’t be possessed. It’s an activity, a quest.

Plato also called philosophy “the art of dying.” For now, reader, I leave this to you to contemplate.

Correction: in our last column, the 7th line of Kevin Durkin’s poem “Near a Freeway Ramp” should have read “sprints” and not “springs”, and the final line of “Walking with my Daughter” read “wished” for swished.”

Jeff Goodman is Lagniappe literary editor. Contact him at literaryed@lagniappemobile.com.

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