Since picking up philosophy as a hobby, I have keenly observed that it is a subject of interest that has receded well into the shadows. It is not mainstream, not popular, and not considered important. But the biggest issue around this is the many misconceptions that have assisted the recession of philosophy into the dungeons of human interest.

While enjoying a purposeless conversation with friends a few days back, one of those misnotions jumped out at me. I wish to at this point highlight how some of the best and insightful conversations are the ones without a prior agenda. The best things are often unplanned, have little structure, sometimes no rules, and ultimately, just a source of leisure. It is also why I disapprove of hungry philosophers. Hungry philosophers might just get carried away with the need to eat that it interferes with the need for truth. Remember this, the best things come from the strangest places. This is by the way.

MISCONCEPTION #1: PHILOSOPHY IS GODLESS

So, the first misconception that arose in this friendly conversation is the notion that philosophy has a godless agenda. For context, I am a Nigerian so I don’t necessarily think this is a universal notion. But I have heard it time and again from people about how philosophy is a subject that is out to prove that God doesn’t exist. This notion, I can gladly blame on the Nigerian universities.

What is it with Nigerian universities and their philosophy lecturers trying to prove that God does not exist? While running this topic by a friend, he attested to the fact that his brother studied philosophy in school and felt like the course threatened his faith. Well, I have studied philosophy in my spare time, and it hasn’t threatened my faith. In fact, it has given me methods to prove and defend my faith within the spectrum of rational thought. But that is by the way.

On admitting to one of the conversationists that I study philosophy as a hobby, she shrieked and made the same statement that philosophy is out to disprove the existence of God and threaten one’s faith. This notion has been very helpful to the decline of philosophical inquiry that is a part of a quality human life.

Before I go on to simplify what philosophy is and clear some of the misconceptions, let’s look at another misconception.

MISCONCEPTION #2: PHILOSOPHY IS JARGONIST AND ELITIST

Another friend of mine stated how he stepped back from reading core works of philosophy because of the laborious language that is common to academic philosophy.  And yes, I have a huge problem with academic philosophy.

I admit that academic philosophy is good for maintaining standards of rigor. But the industrialization of a subject like philosophy eventually leads to the lifelessness that industrialization promotes. Philosophy in its original form is a mechanism for curiosity. But by building industrial walls around the subject, it excludes, like all institutionalization excludes. When you see philosophy as an exclusive endeavour restricted for an intellectual elite, you kill the distinct quality that a philosophical exercise brings to human flourishing. This distinct quality is the fluidity that comes with agendaless conversations; conversations of leisure, flowing like water, riding over the rocks, and forging its own path. 

In all simplicity, philosophy is just about making sense of the world. It is not at its core about quoting all the ‘isms’ and pointing to what is wrong or about formulating arguments. It is about finding coherence and interpretation for life and occurrences. 

Many elements in strict academic philosophy came from accidents and by trial and error. Of course, there are errors you don’t need to repeat. But you can’t enjoy philosophy without speculations, accidents, trials, and errors. It is absurd now that people are not encouraged to seek out interpretations of life without adhering to some strict academic code. It is OK to keep the code for professional publishing. But it is wicked to lay this burden on whoever just wants to find out why heartbreaks cause so much wreckage. Curiosity is the spirit of philosophy. But it is preposterous to let anyone think that they can’t seek answers unless they do it the university way.

PHILOSOPHY IS SIMPLE

Philosophy is simple and natural. It is an attempt to figure out ‘why.’ It is not an agenda against God. Neither is it reserved for the elite. It is leisure. And the best philosophies have stemmed from deep interest and leisure. Beneath all established courses of study is philosophy. But it is the least spoken of today. When we lose touch with doing simple philosophy, we begin to function like machines that will break down at any moment. This machine has life. That life runs on curiosity. Philosophy is the mechanism of curiosity. Philosophy is life.

Philosophy has no real agenda. That is what makes it beautiful. It is an attempt at investigation and interpretation. Other than finding out meaning and truth, there is no hard labour to it. Do not be fooled by the notions you have developed around it.

Philosophy is a luxury. It is precisely a luxury because seeking the truth is a luxury. But then, seeking the truth and following it wherever it goes typifies courage. And a life lived in courage is a life that defeats the average. Remember this when next you sit to discuss or ponder a topic in search for truth.

Till we talk again, listen to my podcast on  Everybody is a Philosopher