Unveiling the Origins of Philosophical Thought
The Origins of Philosophical Thought
Philosophy as methodical thinking began 2500 years ago, with mythical thinking occurring much earlier. The origin of philosophy can be viewed from two perspectives: the top and the source. The ‘top’ perspective is historical and relies on a set of assumptions. The ‘source’ is the impulse that drives us to philosophize, and this source is multifaceted. It encompasses wonder, the pursuit of knowledge, critical examination, and the profound certainty of human emotion, as well as the awareness of being lost when questioning itself.
Three Key Impulses Behind Philosophy
1. Wonder and Awe
Plato stated that wonder is the origin of philosophy. He said, “Our eyes make us partakers of the spectacle of the sky; this show gives us the impetus to investigate the universe.” Aristotle added, “Admiration drives men to philosophize; they start by admiring the strange, inch forward, and question the origin of the universe.” Wonder drives the pursuit of knowledge, stemming from an awareness of not knowing, seeking knowledge for its own sake, not merely to satisfy a need.
2. Doubt and Critical Examination
Some view awe as being satisfied with the context of what exists, while others remain in doubt. While knowledge may accumulate, critical analysis questions whether anything is truly certain. Sense perceptions can be misleading and inconsistent with external reality. Our thought-forms, being products of our human intellect, are entangled in contradictions. Philosophizing involves questioning the very foundations of certainty. Descartes’ statement, “I think, therefore I am,” is considered true when everything else is uncertain. The crucial question is how and where to find certainty.
3. Awareness of Extreme Situations
Practicing doubt can lead to certainty. We often live in and for things without thinking, forgetting ourselves. Epictetus said, “The origin of philosophy is to realize one’s own weakness and helplessness.” To escape from powerlessness, Epicurus advocated “considering everything in my power not to be indifferent and clear and free thought through what is in my power.” We constantly face changing situations, and if they are not addressed, they never return. While we can work to change situations, some are extreme, offering no escape or alteration.
The awareness of these extreme situations is a profound source of philosophy. In ordinary life, we often flee from these situations, preferring to live in particular situations that can be easily managed. We only truly confront our limits when we face these situations, and through desperation and reconstruction, we transform our consciousness of our being. Ingenuity takes over, focusing solely on the immediate circumstances.
The Human Response to Extreme Situations
Humans become cautious through these experiences. The domination of nature and society is sought to guarantee existence. Humans seize and use nature for their own purposes, and through science, they make it trustworthy. Humans create societies to set limits and eliminate mutual struggles, managing security. However, limits exist here as well, where humans attend to each other, striving for justice and freedom, because only then can many become one, though this is never fully achieved.