THINKER'S ALMANAC - April 25

When he held the head of one of his students underwater, to the point of almost drowning him, what lesson was Socrates trying to teach?

Subject:  Philosophy - “Know Yourself”

Event:  Philosopher Alain De Botton’s book The Consolations of Philosophy is published, 2000

The British philosopher Alain De Botton is not someone who believes that philosophy should simply be a topic of study in universities.  Instead, his 

mission is to bring philosophy to the masses, transforming it from an arcane, esoteric topic of academic study into a normal, highly relevant way of life -- one that not only helps each individual to become wiser but that also helps people to live and die well.

As one step toward enacting his mission, DeBotton published a book on this day in 2000, called The Consolations of Philosophy.  The book’s title is a nod to Boethius’ classic work Consolation of Philosophy.  Down on his luck, imprisoned, and condemned, Boethius (475-525) was visited by Lady Philosophy in his prison cell.  Under her counsel, Boethius learns to focus on those things that are in his control rather than what is not.  By controlling his own mind, his own powers of reason, Boethius finds freedom from the chains forged by the fickle finger of fate.  

Like Boethius’ Lady Philosophy, De Botton hopes to console the reader by addressing universal human themes such as unpopularity, frustration, inadequacy, and financial struggle by reviewing the insights of six great philosophers -- Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche -- and what they said about these topics.  

The first step toward thinking more philosophically is not to be afraid to ponder the big questions of life.  Often we are so consumed with the everyday small questions, like “What am I going to have for lunch?” or “What is the due date on my next project,” that we forget to take time to ruminate about bigger questions, like “What is my purpose in life?” or “How important is it to be popular?” or “What is art for?”  This is where the philosophers can nudge us, reminding us that just like every human who has ever lived, we have just one life, and we should take some time to consider how to best live it.

                                        Socrates - Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay 

Philosophy also challenges us to think for ourselves and to be skeptical of public opinion and media narratives.  We live in a society that constantly bombards us with messages and marketing.  The philosophers remind us that we have a mind of our own and that we should use conscious reason to question and test all things.

Probably the most ancient of all philosophical precepts is to “Know yourself.”  Philosophy reminds us that by understanding our own minds better, we can also understand how others think and feel.  In an age of incredible advances in psychology and neuroscience, we have never had more tools available to help us think about our own thinking.

In addition to advocating for reason, philosophers also understand that we are emotional beings, and that we must address the ways that negative emotions can steer our thinking into wrong directions. As De Botton says, “Philosophers teach us to think about our emotions, rather than simply have them” (1).

By addressing the ways we are unwise, we can hopefully learn to become wiser.  Philosophy promises to help us reframe our perceptions and gain new perspectives that lead to new insights.  As Socrates taught, we should question our own certainty about what we think we know.  We may be right about important ideas like courage, justice, or success, but by putting our claims to the test, we can gain new perspectives and truly discover whether or not our claims are sound.  

In sum, De Botton wants us to read his book, but more importantly, he wants us to close the book and seek out and test our wisdom on the streets of the real world, for his view of philosophy is that it should be with us as a daily companion, not just in a class we take in college.  

This quest for wisdom is no frivolous task, and like each breath we take, it should not be taken for granted.  In an ancient anecdote, a young student approaches Socrates and asks him how to become wise.  Without speaking, Socrates motions for the lad to follow him.  The two walk to and into the sea until they are both waist-deep in water.  Socrates then grabs the student and plunges his head under water.  The student struggles frantically, and Socrates finally frees him.  As the student coughs and gasps for air, Socrates calmly punctuates his lesson saying, “When your desire for wisdom is as great as your desire to breathe, then you will be prepared to pursue it.”

Recall, Retrieve, Recite, Ruminate, Reflect, Reason:  What is the central teaching of Socrates that helps us become wiser? Why did Socrates hold his student's head underwater?

Challenge - Philosophical But Practical.  Research some of the wisdom of what was proclaimed in quotations by the six philosophers that De Botton writes about in his book:  Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche.  Which one quote would you say is the most practical of all and why?

Sources:

1- De Botton, Alain.  “Who Needs Philosophy?” Independent.com  21 Nov. 2001.  

 Hardcover – April 25, 2000 by Alain DeBotton published  See chapter on