Why is Philosophy Important?
Hosted by Victoria Philosophy Salon
Details
Topic:
Why is Philosophy Important?
Chairperson:
Mary Kennedy
Moderator:
Spencer Sinclare
Meetup Date:
Wednesday, October 1st. 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a 15 minute break at 8:00 p.m.
Meetup Location:
Upstairs at The Bent Mast, 512 Simcoe St. Victoria, BC, V8V 1L8
Members:
If you plan to attend, please take a moment and RSVP. If your plans change and you cannot attend, to the right of your name there are three dots. Please click on them and move yourself to "Not Going."
Thank you :)
Quotes:
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” ~ Socrates
“The function of philosophy is to teach us not what to think, but how to think.” ~ Bertrand Russell
Synopsis:
Philosophy is one of the oldest fields of study in the world and one that many keep turning to. Why is philosophy important, and why is it relevant today?
- Helps you better understand yourself and the world around you.
- Trains you to question the status quo.
- Guides ethical decision-making.
- Encourages personal growth.
What is philosophy?
Philosophy studies existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. In other words, it’s the exploration of life’s big questions.
Philosophy is one of the oldest disciplines in the world. Some of the earliest philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, produced works that are still studied and read today.
Philosophy helps you understand yourself. One of the main benefits of studying philosophy is that it teaches us how to question our assumptions and beliefs.
Many take certain things for granted without questioning why we believe them. By exploring how thoughts and beliefs are formed and how this has evolved throughout history, we can begin to understand our frame of beliefs.
Philosophy can also provide a framework for making ethical decisions and for exploring important questions about life and death, meaning, and purpose. By studying philosophy, students can develop their reasoning and abstract thinking skills, which are essential for success in any field. Philosophy helps you live a more fulfilling life. Philosophy encourages you to ask, What is a good life? What truly matters to me?
With his concept of eudaimonia (flourishing), thinkers like Aristotle prompt us to align our actions with our values and pursue meaningful goals, not just short-term pleasures.
Philosophy—particularly Stoicism—offers powerful tools for staying grounded during life’s ups and downs. Stoic thinkers like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius emphasized that while we can’t control external events, we can control how we respond to them. This mindset helps you:
A. Detach from what you can’t control.
B. Reframe setbacks as opportunities.
C. Build inner strength and calm.
Existential philosophy also contributes here: Thinkers like Viktor Frankl and Jean-Paul Sartre argued that in the face of uncertainty or even suffering, we can choose to create our own meaning. That sense of agency builds emotional durability.
Watch:
“The Importance of Philosophy and Reason” on YouTube.