25. PHILOSOPHY AS PRACTICAL WISDOM
The very word philosophy makes people feel uncomfortable.. Most people associate it with mental abstraction, speculation into insoluble problems, verbal sophistry, useless indulgence in idleness, or simply a show of superiority by some people. It is defined in as many ways as there are dictionaries.Some may know it in its primary sense as the 'love of wisdom'. But wisdom itself is a concept not well understood. The modern age has lost it in the maze of knowledge, which in turn has been lost in the mountains of information, as T.S.Eliot pointed out. Few associate it with practical wisdom. The dictionary.com defines the word as:
1.
the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being,
knowledge, or conduct.
2.
any of the three branches, namely natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as
composing this study.
3.
a particular system of thought based on such study or investigation:
the philosophy of Spinoza.
4.
the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular
branch of knowledge,especially with a view to improving or
reconstituting them:
the philosophy of science.
5.
a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.
6.
an attitude of rationality, patience, composure,and calm in the presence of troubles or annoyances.
The Brittanica.com has it thus:
Philosophy, (from Greek, by way of Latin, philosophia, “love of wisdom”) the rational, abstract, and methodical consideration of reality as a whole or of fundamental dimensions of human existence and experience. Philosophical inquiry is a central element in the intellectual history of many civilizations.
Boethius was a senator and high official in Rome,(6th Century) was betrayed by treachery and was executed. While in prison awaiting trial, he found time to put down his thoughts in writing. Known as " The Consolation of Philosophy", it became the single most influential book subsequently, and is the last great work of ancient philosophy. None of the old philosophers asked us to escape life, but to face it. Escapism is a modern trait.
- Proper understanding of the world- Sankhya. We have to distinguish between the perishable and the eternal. The body is perishable, Atma is eternal. The material universe is perishable, but the Brahman behind it is eternal. Prakriti- Purusha, Kshetra-Khetrajna - we have to distinguish the two. We perceive the world not as it is, but as it is reported to us by the senses and interpreted by the mind. We have to refine these instruments for proper understanding. Once we understand the eternal element among the transient, our priorities are set. We choose a life of discipline that is beneficial (Sreyas), rather than a life that is pleasurable (Preyas) which is perishable.
- Life of Right Action: Yoga. Yoga (union) is to be in touch with the eternal element in all circumstances. Action is normally based on desire; its nonfulfilment leads to frustration and anger. Thus desire and anger (Kama and Krodha) are the gates to hell. Action based on desire leads to rebirth. But so long as we live in the world, action of some sort cannot be avoided. So the essential action has to be performed without desire, merely as a duty, so as to avoid future births. This is the skill to be acquired.(Kausalam)
- Samatwa: Equanimity .In performing action like this, strong will is involved. It it exercised in two essential directions: giving up desire and the expectation of fruit; remaining undisturbed in mind in favourable and adverse circumstances, in friendship and adversity, amid fame and infamy, pleasure and pain, etc.
Many other details would naturally flow from these. It is above all a supremely ethical code marked by
understanding , action and discipline.
1.The Gita introduces a strong, unmistakable theistic element. It prescribes that a person who desires his own good (Sreyas) should surrender to God (conceived in any manner) and perform his action as an offering to Him. This is the highest secret of life. But the prescriptions can be followed even without the theism. ( as ego-less action )
2. There are many psychological factors as the basis of our thinking and action. These are integrated with the philosophical steps in the course of practice. Indian philosophy seamlessly integrates with psychology. Such divisions are a meaningless modern western abstraction.
Stoicism is the name given to a line of philosophical thinking founded in Athens by Zeno in 3rd Century BC. It flourished in Greece, and later in Rome up to the end of 3rd Century AD.
As the Wikipedia notes:
Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy that flourished throughout the Roman and Greek world until the 3rd century AD. Stoicism is predominantly a philosophy of personal ethics which is informed by its system of logic and its views on the natural world. According to its teachings, as social beings, the path to happiness for humans is found in accepting that which we have been given in life, by not allowing ourselves to be controlled by our desire for pleasure or our fear of pain, by using our minds to understand the world around us and to do our part in nature's plan, and by working together and treating others in a fair and just manner.
According to the stoics, happiness depends on virtue which consists of self-control, courage, justice and wisdom. Wisdom consists in knowing our limits- what we can control and what we cannot, and merely accepting the latter. One has to give up passion. Stoicism is not just doctrine but a way of life- lex divina.
The greatest teachers and practitioners of stoicism have been Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus.
Men do not care how nobly they live, but only how long, although it is within the reach of every man to live nobly, but within no man's power to live long.
- Seneca.
Everything you hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything you see is a perspective, not the truth.
Very little is needed to make a happy life. It is within yourself, in your thinking.
- Marcus Aurelius.
There are many good books on Stoic philosophy. The latest one is the excellent "The Daily Stoic" a compendium of 366 quotations and reflections from the writings of the Stoic philosophy, meant for daily meditation.
Published by Profile Books, 2016. Cover shown here for educative purposes.
This gives an excellent, short summary of the whole philosophy. The authors write:
"They ultimately framed their work around a series of exercises in three critical disciplines:
The Discipline of Perception ( how we see and perceive the world around us.)
The Discipline of Action ( the decisions and actions we take- and to what end )
The Discipline of Will ( how we deal with the things we cannot change, attain clear and convincing judgment, and come to a true understanding of our place in the world. )"
[ From the Introduction, p.4]
If we compare this summary with the gist of the practical steps gleaned from the Gita, we realise how close they are! In fact, there is a remarkable closeness between ancient Greek and Indian thought.[ though not total identity]
Stoicism and fatalism
Insofar as Stoicism insists on acceptance of what life brings, it may be interpreted as a sort of deterministic fatalism. Some Indian systems overcome this hurdle by resort to theological belief, God and his grace. Or by resort to remedial measures by tantra, astrology, etc. How much real relief is actually obtained therefrom is a subjective opinion. This problem has caused endless debates in modern times, with no solution. Modern man is led to believe in freewill, but is baffled when misfortune befalls him. No science is able to solve all problems, including medicine. In the circumstances, it actually seems better to believe in some Higher Order that ordains things on earth. The Stoics did not ask us to abandon our free will, but to act according to our reason, but be prepared to accept when things don't go our way or according to expectations. In this respect, the Stoics reflected the general attitude of the ancient Greeks as seen in their Tragedies: we may try all we can, but it is futile to fight the gods or to seek to outwit them! Modern science knows no better for all its tall claims and sophistry.
The Good Life is the virtuous life. That is the foundation of real happiness. The ancient philosophers show us the practical ways in which we can organise our life on this basis. Greek and Indian philosophies converge on this point as practical guides to a life of virtue and wisdom.
Our lifestyle- whatever it is - reflects a philosophy! Only, we are not aware of it!
"Philosophy does not claim to get a person any external possessions. To do so would be beyond its field. As wood is to the carpenter, bronze to the sculptor, so our own lives are the proper material in the art of living."
-Epictetus.
Our lifestyle- whatever it is - reflects a philosophy! Only, we are not aware of it!
-Epictetus.
