How to have a philosophy

Philosophy can feel elusive. We think of Socrates, Marx, or the Mandelas and Awolowos—people who dared to see the world differently. So we disqualify ourselves. We’re not philosophers. We’re HR managers, startup founders, engineers, designers. But the truth is, we all have a philosophy.

We may have borrowed it. We may not have the words to describe it. But it’s there, quietly guiding how we live, lead, love, learn, and work. And if we say we don’t, that’s just a sign we haven’t taken time to examine it.

Where do we even begin?

By making time for reflection. Time to do nothing. To listen to our breath. To take long walks. To listen to the voice within, not only the voice of strangers on the internet (including this one).

Next, we expose ourselves to the thinking of others. Yes, people did take philosophy as full-time jobs. And we can get a head start by exploring what they’ve left behind: from ancient philosophers to modern-day thinkers with fresh views on life. As we consume a wide range of ideas, we start to shape our own convictions and see where we stand.

Finally, we remember it’s never finished. Philosophy is not fixed. We must keep examining our views and remain open to opposing ones. Like Seneca wrote, “For as long as we live, we must continue to learn how to live.”