When most people think of philosophy, they envision ancient Greek philosophers such as Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato, or Eastern thinkers like Confucius, Lao Tzu, and, to some extent, Sun Tzu. However, I believe that your favorite philosophy should be the philosophy of one’s self.
There seems to be an unwritten rule or misconception about philosophy is that it is purely an academic endeavor. Many perceive it as a system where individuals fit into rigid boxes: one box for a particular school of thought, nested within another, and another, like a set of Russian Matryoshka dolls. Modern philosophy often feels preoccupied with categorization, where the focus shifts to labeling concepts rather than exploring them deeply. It has devolved, in some respects, into an intellectual game of stamp collecting or intellectual tourism, where we memorise labels rather than engaging with ideas. Explaining ideas has become secondary to naming them. This approach seems to stray from the original essence of philosophy, where people gathered to exchange truths or sought solitude for deep introspection, where it is just you and your rogue mind.
Social media, in my view, has amplified this tendency to label and categorize. Everyone seems to wear a label for even the most trivial aspects of their lives—whether it’s diet trends, eccentric habits, or Starbucks drinks with outlandish names that, in the end, amount to coffee with a bit of added flavor. These labels often overshadow the ideas themselves, reducing them to commodities for display rather than catalysts for understanding.
For me, philosophy is about striving to understand or to make sense of the world around us, the reality of nature, the workings of the mind, and the universe’s vast complexity. The mind, as the filter through which all understanding occurs, plays a central role. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly engaged in constructing mental models of our lives. Be it through completing assignments, studying complex theories, or navigating daily experiences, we are always shaping our personal philosophies.
A key idea I want to return to is understanding. No one else can truly help you grasp a concept; the act of understanding is deeply personal. Great thinkers and philosophers, often regarded as geniuses, should serve as guides rather than prescriptive authorities. Their works should inspire and aid in refining your own thinking, not dictate how you should live your life. Each of us is unique, and the universal applicability of any single philosophy is limited.
This is why I believe you should be your own favorite philosopher. You possess the power to improve or hinder yourself using the books, writings, and dialogues you encounter. Philosophy, at its core, is not about adopting someone else’s framework wholesale but about building your own. A philosophy that reflects your individuality, your challenges, and your aspirations.