How is Philosophy related to Self Awareness?
The Idea of the Self is a Philosophical Idea. Our Selves, and our lives, are predominanantly driven by our beliefs. And these beliefs have their origins in History, Sociology & Language.
“Most people go through life with a whole world of beliefs that have no sort of rational justification, and that one man’s world of beliefs is apt to be incompatible with another man’s, so that they cannot both be right. People’s opinions are mainly designed to make them feel comfortable; truth, for most people is a secondary consideration.”
– Bertrand Russell, Mathematician
The reason one should undertake a study of Philosophy for improving Self Awareness is so that their belief systems can be refined, eliminating false convictions, and are better aligned to the truth. Furthermore, it offers an individual, the ability, even if limited, to be the driver in their life’s journey, rather than being used by social systems & living a life passively.
What is Applied Personal Philosophy?
Lets start by understanding what is Philosophy.
“Philosophy, as I shall understand the word, is something intermediate between theology and science. Like theology, it consists of speculations on matters as to which definite knowledge has, so far, been unascertainable; but like science, it appeals to human reason rather than to authority, whether that of tradition or that of revelation. All definite knowledge–so I should contend– belongs to science; all dogma as to what surpasses definite knowledge belongs to theology. But between theology and science there is a No Man’s Land, exposed to attack from both sides; this No Man’s Land is philosophy.”
– Bertrand Russell, Mathematician
For most people, the term Philosophy suggests discussion around big ideas. This is usually just because the most prevalent application of Philosophy is in managing large & small Social Systems. Personal Philosophy, on the other hand, focuses on the Individual.
At any given point in time, no two individuals share the same Context, Intention & Outcome. And therefore their choices & decisions must be driven by a personal philosophy rather than a collective belief system.
Applied Personal Philosophy is simply action oriented Personal Philosophy. It focuses on personal utility driven by tangile outcomes, and not just an empty belief system devoid of action or based on false linguistic contructs.
“Action without thought is empty, thought without action is blind.”
– Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president