To the masses philosophy is boring and irrelevant, possibly of intellectual interest to people who have nothing practical to do with their lives. But is this just another myth to deflect us from the truth? Can a real jewel be so smeared that it passes unnoticed?

Many people are enslaved to its power without even knowing the meaning of the word. Few appreciate what a useful science it is. A science that enables us to live a life on earth.

You need Philosophy if you want to leave the Matrix, to take control of your life and to thrive. You need it if you want to zoom out and see the big picture. And you need it if you want to understand how men are influenced and controlled.

You couldn’t function as a human being without a philosophy. It determines your view of the world, it effects your thinking, and therefore your choices, and therefore your life.

What is philosophy?

Philosophy is the science that studies the fundamental nature of existence, of man, and of man’s relationship to existence. The philosophical premises that we hold affect our understanding of reality, of what is possible and what is not, of what is good and what is not. Our understanding of ‘the way things are’ has a massive bearing upon how we choose to live, what we will put up with, what limitations and suffering we will accept. Popular catchphrases, unless critically scrutinised have the power to become beliefs. (life is suffering; you must sacrifice for others; you cannot be sure of anything; it maybe true for you, but not for me; The heart is superior to the head, selfishness is evil, etc.)

There are 5 branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics – the study of the nature of reality. Metaphysics deals with questions such as; Where am I? What is real? What is the nature of reality?

Epistemology – the study of knowledge and how we know things. Epistemology asks questions such as; What is knowledge; How do I know?

Ethics – what is the right way for man to act. Ethics sets out to define a code of moral values that determine the purpose and course of mans life. It addresses the question ‘What should I do?’

Politics – what is the right way for man to interact with fellow men. It sets out to define principles on how men should best interact with each other.

Aesthetics – The role and function of Art in man’s life. It addresses questions such as ‘What is Art and why do we need it?’

What is Philosophy for?

In the words of Ayn Rand. “The task of philosophy is to provide man with a comprehensive view of life. This view serves as a base, a frame of reference, for all his actions, mental or physical, psychological or existential. This view tells him the nature of the universe with which he has to deal (metaphysics); the means by which he is to deal with it, i.e., the means of acquiring knowledge (epistemology); the standards by which he is to choose his goals and values, in regard to his own life and character (ethics)—and in regard to society (politics); the means of concretising this view is given to him by esthetics.”

She continues… “As a human being, you have no choice about the fact that you need a philosophy. Your only choice is whether you define your philosophy by a conscious, rational, disciplined process of thought and scrupulously logical deliberation—or let your subconscious accumulate a junk heap of unwarranted conclusions, false generalizations, undefined contradictions, undigested slogans, unidentified wishes, doubts and fears, thrown together by chance, but integrated by your subconscious into a kind of mongrel philosophy and fused into a single, solid weight: self-doubt, like a ball and chain in the place where your mind’s wings should have grown.”

Why do we need it?

“Philosophy is a necessity for a rational being: ...