As much as this resonates, I think I want to stick up for the idea that people with no inclination to craft a philosophy of life--people who never went through anything like the existential crisis you did, and who stick pretty close to the values and priorities they picked up through osmosis from family and/or community--can have lives perfectly well worth living.
Perhaps there's some version of "don't scratch what doesn't itch" that applies here. For somebody in the predicament you described, I think the kind of advice you're offering here may be just what's needed. But for somebody who is already happily pursuing various projects, and hasn't subjected their goals to any sort of philosophical critique, I'm not at all sure I'd expect they'd typically be better off if they did so.
Hi Daniel, Thanks so much for your thoughts on my essay! I like this provocative comment, and I'm of two minds about it after mulling it over for a day. I agree that the "don't scratch what doesn't itch" approach might work for some. But I also wonder if our society is very "itchy" today, with people bumping into so many people of different religious persuasions or lack thereof. Even interpersonal stuff might benefit from this kind of philosophical digging. I'm thinking off the top of my head, but I wonder if someone who has "care ethics" types of intuitions might reject Mel Robbins' Stoic approach to "letting others." Would it be valuable for such a person to think a little more deeply before going for one self-help view over another? I appreciated this comment so much that I might write a brief and friendly response next week. :)
Thanks! Tell me what you think. I love the essay, but gave up on teaching it in the meaning of life section of my Philosophy of Death course. Somehow, I couldn't quite convey the value of its message.
Interesting post. I'm going to check out that James essay. Thanks! Also, I'm going to have to dig into all the other essays on your Substack. Glad the algorithm sent you my way!
For practical advice on creating a personal philosophy, I've found Paul's Substack helpful.
I love your point about how "self-help" works, although useful, lack a metaphysical backbone. I see philosophy as a way to question the assumptions of our culture, society, and upbringing. Even the most basic assumption of life, that it must or ought, to continue, is questioned existentially.
As a Christian philosopher, I love James's "Varieties of Religious Experience," but need to check out his essay "Is Life Worth Living," I haven't come across it yet! Thanks for a great essay Celine.
Hi Mark, thanks so much for your thoughts on my essay! I love The Varieties of Religious Experience as well! "Is Life Worth Living?" can be found for free online, or if you want to dig into more James, it's also included in the collection The Will to Believe and Other Essays.
As much as this resonates, I think I want to stick up for the idea that people with no inclination to craft a philosophy of life--people who never went through anything like the existential crisis you did, and who stick pretty close to the values and priorities they picked up through osmosis from family and/or community--can have lives perfectly well worth living.
Perhaps there's some version of "don't scratch what doesn't itch" that applies here. For somebody in the predicament you described, I think the kind of advice you're offering here may be just what's needed. But for somebody who is already happily pursuing various projects, and hasn't subjected their goals to any sort of philosophical critique, I'm not at all sure I'd expect they'd typically be better off if they did so.
Hi Daniel, Thanks so much for your thoughts on my essay! I like this provocative comment, and I'm of two minds about it after mulling it over for a day. I agree that the "don't scratch what doesn't itch" approach might work for some. But I also wonder if our society is very "itchy" today, with people bumping into so many people of different religious persuasions or lack thereof. Even interpersonal stuff might benefit from this kind of philosophical digging. I'm thinking off the top of my head, but I wonder if someone who has "care ethics" types of intuitions might reject Mel Robbins' Stoic approach to "letting others." Would it be valuable for such a person to think a little more deeply before going for one self-help view over another? I appreciated this comment so much that I might write a brief and friendly response next week. :)
Excellent post! Now to read William James's essay!
Thanks! Tell me what you think. I love the essay, but gave up on teaching it in the meaning of life section of my Philosophy of Death course. Somehow, I couldn't quite convey the value of its message.
Will do!
Interesting post. I'm going to check out that James essay. Thanks! Also, I'm going to have to dig into all the other essays on your Substack. Glad the algorithm sent you my way!
For practical advice on creating a personal philosophy, I've found Paul's Substack helpful.
https://themicrophilosopher.substack.com/
He has a free email course: https://micro-philosophy.com/
Super! Thanks, yes, I subscribe to the Microphilosopher as well! Glad you found the blog. :)
I love your point about how "self-help" works, although useful, lack a metaphysical backbone. I see philosophy as a way to question the assumptions of our culture, society, and upbringing. Even the most basic assumption of life, that it must or ought, to continue, is questioned existentially.
As a Christian philosopher, I love James's "Varieties of Religious Experience," but need to check out his essay "Is Life Worth Living," I haven't come across it yet! Thanks for a great essay Celine.
Hi Mark, thanks so much for your thoughts on my essay! I love The Varieties of Religious Experience as well! "Is Life Worth Living?" can be found for free online, or if you want to dig into more James, it's also included in the collection The Will to Believe and Other Essays.