Philosophy is an all-important aspect of our lives. It is philosophy that we
turn to when have the need to seek out a guiding principle for our lives.
Therefore, philosophy holds a prominent place in society and in the world.
Basically, everyone is a philosopher, but it takes the creative genius and
reasoning of brilliant thinkers to bring about world-shattering concepts.
Nevertheless, the common man also ruminates about his life and his unique
existence to try to find the meaning of his life. Over a life time, a
constitution or a theme is developed to discern the ideas that one can readily
accept. Interestingly, the philosophies of men separated by vast chasms of time
and space all embrace upon a common theme of life. This theme is so broad as to
encompass everyone's ideas and beliefs and allows for future inclusions. When a
person finds another who shares the same ideas, then he bonds with him in
solace. Yet when a group shares the same ideas, then dangerous factions could
erupt. One idea that is not clear between the belligerent parties is that all
the ideas are right, none is wrong so long as the belief is strong. Philosophy
is here to unify us into common causes, not to pit us against one another. What
one believes is sacred and my own beliefs, I cherish dearly. In this aspect,
philosophy allows us to live our lives with confidence, because we know that
ideas cannot be taken from us. In the United States, we can feel free to express
our opinions and beliefs as long as we do not impinge upon other's rights. This
is where a common philosophy has been accepted and adopted by a people. This
macrocosmic unity of a nation demonstrates the power of philosophy. In another
area, philosophy is vital: religion. Religions are perhaps the largest groups of
people who share a common philosophy. Their uniform beliefs cause the members of
each religion to philosophize in a common theme in which the religion does not
allow any radical deviation. One of philosophy's most important aspects is its
flexibility. This flexibility allows the individual to endlessly engender new
thoughts and theories. It was this flexibility that encouraged great thinkers to
expound their ideas. It is dubious that their ideas can change others', but in
each stage of transition and growth there is an opportunity for new philosophies
to come in and help us live our lives better. Philosophy grants us the chance to
live a fulfilled life, full of actions and thoughts true to ourselves. We find
enlightenment in philosophy, from ourselves and others. There is always an
inenarrable satisfaction when a new idea comes to us. Such is the excitement in
discovery that René Descartes even went so far as to proclaim, "I think,
therefore I am." Philosophy is truly unique in all its ways. Since the very
first moment when man recognizes that he is able to think and engender
innovative ideas, man has never ceased to think, to ponder, to ruminate. Man
considers himself unique for his unparalleled ability to conceive new thoughts,
revise old ones, and live in harmony with the present ones. This sort of view
typified man's inveterate belief that he is not just a mere animal but rather a
being that has been able to transcend his former bestiality on to a higher
plateau of reasoning. On this plateau is an endless plain that stretches beyond
comprehension. It is on this plain that all of us grope, find new thoughts,
reject them, discover our own, add new ones, and finally, settle with a concept
true to our constitution. The ubiquitous nature of philosophy demonstrates that
all men, of contrasting backgrounds, need and cling on to philosophy. Man
cherishes his own philosophy because it is something that is close to his heart
and out of reach. He needs a philosophy in order for him to live. The cumilative
philosophical thoughts of the ages and the ideas of today mix to form a amalgam
of ideas which forms the basis of his philosophy and guides him in all his
actions in life.