Are Philosophers Born or Made?

[Magnet Man]

Is philosophy - like all other arts - an exceptional birthday gift that only a few are blessed with?
Or is it merely an academic subject that anyone can learn to profess via study?

[murex]

Everyone can learn it (as long as it is able to be accessed within a society).

[nickelfire]

Hmm, well philosophers do seem to have something special about them always… don’t they? Well at least the known ones, or the ones with original philosophies and not the ones with variations of those.
On the other hand, philosophy is a universal concept… everyone follows their own philosophy to a degree whether it’s radical, original, mainstream or whatever… Are we all philosophers?

[murex]

I don't think everyone really examines themselves or why they think the way they do. A lot of people are driven by instinct more than anything. I would disagree with the idea that we are all philosophers.

[Kwan Yu]

murex said:

I don't think everyone really examines themselves or why they think the way they do. A lot of people are driven by instinct more than anything. I would disagree with the idea that we are all philosophers.

For those without philosophical outlook
life can be torture
and the best of it
not savored properly

[rainshine87]

I'd say it's neither of these, it's just a desire for knowledge of what we are and what 'this' is. Such a desire is usually started through some sort of realisation that such knowledge is important. For me, this was through becoming depressed. I felt that all my actions and desires were pointless, and that there might be a purpose to my life, so I ought to try and figure out what that purpose is. Because If I die having wasted my entire life, I'm going to regret it. Henceforth, I became a philosopher.

[piper]

I have heard many people say that they came to self examination through depression or some harmful event, trajedy that happened to them in life. Environmental disposition.

For me it is true that these type of events certainly inspired a greater delving into my soul and the "why" of it all. On the other hand I think that maybe there is something to the idea that a philosopher is born.

If karma is real then a spirit would be predisposed to haveing a unique view in a next life if karma dictated.........

[rainshine87]

I'd say we're all born philosophers, it's just that most of us don't realise so.

[Magnet Man]

rainshine87 said:

I'd say we're all born philosophers, it's just that most of us don't realise so.

Actually everybody has an active life philosophy. A capitalist system of school indoctrination has made sure of that. Most everybody chases the buck and believes that extracting the largest profit possible is the smart way to go..

The objective of our Foundation is to get that unethical system changed to a philosophy based on global stewardship.

[know knot]

admin said:

Is philosophy - like all other arts - an exceptional birthday gift that only a few are blessed with?
Or is it merely an academic subject that anyone can learn to profess via study?

i would imagine one may be born more in tune with the universe than his fellows and thus more receptive to a philosophical mindset. his life experiences would then determine the nature in which he shapes his philosophy. thats my philosophy anyway

knot

[nickelfire]

murex said:

I don't think everyone really examines themselves or why they think the way they do. A lot of people are driven by instinct more than anything. I would disagree with the idea that we are all philosophers.

This is what I meant below Murex

admin said:

Actually everybody has an active life philosophy. A capitalist system of school indoctrination has made sure of that. Most everybody chases the buck and believes that extracting the largest profit possible is the smart way to go..

I never said they were good philosophy's . The paths we take and the lives we lead determine our philosophy; also our solid stances on issues are the essence of philosophy. But of course the philosophers we think of when we think of philosophers seem to be from a different stock, so your point is still valid.