Everyone has a personal philosophy (fundamental beliefs about what is true) by which they view the world.[1] My first philosophy teacher, Dr. Robert Sullivan, used to say everyone was a philosopher. He suggested that we only have two options with our philosophy. One possibility is to summon all our courage and critically examine our philosophy, acknowledging at the beginning that we could think better, and as a result live better. This isn’t easy. It is often painful and disruptive to discover that you have been thinking in ways which are not helpful or just wrong. However, since the day I took that first philosophy class in 1977 I have always wanted to examine what I believed so that my beliefs conform to reality and help me to live the best life possible.
Dr. Sullivan suggested the other option, for those who did not want to examine their personal philosophy, which is to live an unexamined life. To go through life never thinking deeply about what you believe or what might be true. Although it is difficult to examine our personal philosophy, I am convinced that if we don’t open ourselves up to thinking deeply about our core beliefs, we leave ourselves open to a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering. The main thrust of my ministry for the last forty years has been to help people gather the courage to think better about what they believe and how they live.
Personal Philosophies are Complicated
Personal philosophies are complicated and a combination of many ideas. For example, my personal philosophy includes a belief in a creator God, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the inspiration and authority of the Bible. I also believe that life is short, and I want to make it count. I do not want to waste my life on things that are trivial. I also want to enjoy every moment that I can in every way. There is so much good in the world, I don’t want to miss any of it. I could go on for quite some time about all the things I believe-the list is long.
Personal philosophies are also multi-layered with some ideas being more important to us than others. Some of our beliefs even conflict with other beliefs, causing psychological discomfort when they are evaluated. It is not easy to sort out what we believe, what is most important to us, and how to make sense of beliefs which are contradictory.
An Examined Philosophy In Action
However, if you spend enough time talking with others or attempting a blog every week, you will discover some themes that emerge. These themes point to core beliefs which are most important to us. One of the themes of my blogs, which is a core part of my personal philosophy, is that life is hard, and that living always involves suffering and disappointment. This is not profound; it is taught by every major religion and every serious philosophy.
So glad I canceled our camping trip.
Religions and personal philosophies do differ in their teachings about how to manage the suffering and pain that accompany being alive. Over the last couple of weeks, I have had several disappointments. Nothing too traumatic, just several events which I was looking forward to being canceled, other events that did not go very well, and still others that cost a lot more than I was anticipating. They were the things that have happened to all of us. I was going camping and the weather turned very cold and I had to cancel (who hasn’t been disappointed because the weather was not what we were expecting), I was in a hotel that did not have coffee in the room and none was available anywhere until after 7 am. (that was so wrong), and trying to grow grass in my backyard is becoming surprisingly expensive (if you are thinking, “He has two dogs what was he expecting” you wouldn’t be wrong. I was still surprised when checking out at Lowe’s.)
As I reflect on these disappointments, I recognize how a personal philosophy can keep one mentally healthy. With each of these disappointments I have felt the temptation to get angry and sad. But before my anger erupts, or my sadness leads me into depression, I have been able to think about what I believe about disappointments. I believe disappointments are temporary, and the feelings of anger and sadness will pass. I believe that although things have gone differently than what I had hoped or imagined, if I stay positive, I will find good in my situation. Finally, these disappointments are opportunities for me to practice and get mentally stronger for the day significant suffering invades my life.
Philosophy is not just a class we take in college or a big word with technical meanings. Rather, it is a framework which guides our thinking, helps us navigate our feelings, directs our decisions, and helps us make sense of our lives. The most important part of who we are is our personal philosophy, and I cannot imagine living without examining that philosophy and applying it to my life.
I pray that you have a group of people which is helping you think through your personal philosophy. I pray that you are reading and thinking about what is true, and what seems to be true but might be false. If I can be of any help to you in thinking through your core beliefs, there is nothing I would like more than to talk with you.
[1] I am using philosophy and religion synonymously. It seems to me that both philosophy and religion are asking the same question, namely, what is the good life and how do we live it. It is often assumed that religion differs from philosophy because it assumes that there is a God. However, Buddhism gives short shrift to gods and is commonly classified as a religion. I like Yuval Harari’s definition of religion, “A system of human norms and values that is founded on belief in a superhuman order.” (Sapiens, p.228) Using this definition of religion Harari includes liberalism, capitalism, and communism.
