What does it take to be a philosopher?

Question

I've always wondered, what does it take? I've heard some people say I have to go to College and study philosophy in order to be considered a philosopher but... I don't think thats right. Isn't philosophy nothing more than thinking? Questioning life?

Answer 1

Two cups of flour and one cup of sugar? ha ha
A brain, and then an idea, and then common sense.
That is all. Usually you have to formulate most philosophies in writing so use spell check, and if you dream a lot that is a start. But truly most philosophers should have a balance, and an analytical mind, finding the smoothest way to resolve the questions at hand. Like space and time, work and play, moral judgements etc., College helps of course it is reading, learning, interacting with others striving to become whatever it is they are trying to be? And all those things adopt a philosophy as well. But it is not written in stone that you have to be in College or have a degree to be one, not at all. Many philosophies of life came way before a College existed. Philosophy is a school of thought all on its own.

Answer 2

I've always understood philosophy to mean the love of wisdom or insight. (Being Greek in origin it probably isn't directly translatable). In more recent times it seems to have split between (a) Some idea of what constitutes reality apart from the physics/chemistry analysis - so involving much about the implication of words and concepts and (b) a search for how an individual or community might live to achieve optimum benefits in their defined objectives (requiring definition). (a) can become extremely esoteric and it seems to me, verge into the philosophy of science. (b) is the kind of philosophy pursued by what one might call the "wisdom cultures" including Chinese. So the objectives could be defined as anything from personal satisfaction (requiring philosophical definition), to the maximum sustainable welbeing (define) for the mass of humanity ... and so on, including even how to wisely wage war (Chinese). If you think about it, these differences eventually can form a circle. Fun, isn't it! So basically, everyone has some kind of philosophy - some principles by which to live as an individual and/or member of a group from family to community. But few think systematically about it. Doing so, in the academic setting that suits you, can save a lot of re-inventing the wheel, and give you tools to think with. It can also get you the piece of paper that commands the attention and at least some respect, of others. There are perhaps few things so arduous and challenging as "nothing more than thinking". It can lead to dark places in search of light. It requires courage, and that can only come from a devoted, almost compulsive, honesty and curiousity. Is that you? So that's your first question. The next is to talk to some philosophy teacher. Good luck. Life without reflection is no life at all, after all.

Answer 3

What does it take to be a lawyer? Being a philosopher, does not mean being clever. Like a lawyer is some professional regarding problems/ questions/ matters of the law, a philosopher is someone regarding problems/ questions/ matters of the field of philosophy.
When i ask if its justice that Saddam got hanged, I'm neither a lawyer nor a philosopher. But they might be working on this subject too. Neither are you a singer if you only sing in your private bathtub.

Usually it means someone professionally regarding fundamental questions . Like the asumptions of a concept.
You at least need to be up-to-date on where philosophy is today, on the question your pondering. Else people are getting their Phd degrees in Law or Philosophy for nothing.

Answer 4

What Sophist said. But... there's not much of a living in being a philosopher. Who cares about the meaning of life when you're scrounging to keep alive? A college degree and graduate studies are your best bet. If you're good enough then you can get a job teaching philosophy in college.

Answer 5

Anyone can philosophise, someone who studies it may have a broader knowledge on other philosophers, but just because someone doesn't have that does not mean they can not be a philosopher. If they did, how would the first philosopher of been created?

To be a philosopher it simply takes an inquisitive mind, and a yearning for truth and knowledge

Answer 6

To me, a philosopher would have to be a person with an inquisitive, searching mind with the ability to remain objective and analytical in the search for pure thought and truth. An inquiring mind, I'd say, mixed in with a good dose of intelligence and reasoning and a special ingredient called "vision", which is a unique gift possessed by a superior mind that can connect the dots that others don't see and then have the ability to communicate these dots to others in a clear, concise manner so as to educate the knowledge-seeking masses with his or her eureka moment of thought!

Answer 7

In one way or the other, each of us is a philosopher. For me, a real philosopher is the one who thinks or questions deeply about something and is also able to provide solutions to his query.

I think someone who reads too much philosophy, who can comment well on other people's work but when it comes to making decisions for himself, he struggles, that kind of person is NOT a philosopher at all.

For me, philosopher is the one who has his own unique ideas that make sense.

Answer 8

Do you imply how does one boost right into a expert fact seeker? the respond approximately getting the PhD, solutions that. The etymology given via yet another answerer is likewise top. thinking heavily approximately philosophical matters: what does it imply to "understand" something, what's top and incorrect all approximately, what's reason and how does one reason properly -- stuff like that. Doing philosophy ability thinking approximately such questions. Doing it properly is something else completely. Or are you asking why human beings do philosophy? We addicts merely won't be in a position to help ourselves. For the philosophical ideas, philosophy is relaxing.

Answer 9

An open mind and a logical mind that can think things through and is able to understand their own thoughts about things. Also a philosopher should be an educated person who knows about world beliefs and culture and can make reasoning as to why other cultures believe one way or another.

Answer 10

i can't see the degree being much good for anything else aside from getting that job at Denny's or making someone feel self-important, anyone with an idea can call themselves a philosopher all you really need to do is meet enough people