Can I call myself a philosopher?
Yes, you can absolutely call yourself a philosopher, but whether you should depends on how you define "philosopher" and what you mean to express with that word. Traditionally, the word "philosopher" was restricted to those who made substantial intellectual contributions to the discipline of philosophy-those who wrote major works, taught, or were widely recognized for their philosophical insights. However, the word today carries a wider and more inclusive meaning: anyone who engages seriously with philosophical inquiry can call themselves a philosopher.
Here's a closer look at what it means to be a philosopher and why you might feel comfortable calling yourself one.
1. **Philosophy as a Way of Life
Philosophy is not only a profession but also a way of life. If you reflect deeply on such questions about the nature of existence, ethics, knowledge, and meaning, then you are doing philosophical thinking whether or not you have published a book or taught in a university.
A philosophical life involves the "big questions," questioning assumptions, considering multiple perspectives, and striving to live thoughtfully and meaningfully. If you regularly engage with these kinds of inquiries, then it's not out of place to refer to yourself as a philosopher.
2. **Intellectual Curiosity and Reflection
Philosophy, in most general terms, is the constant questioning and seeking to understand the world. If you are pondering fundamental questions-what exists, what counts as a self, how should I live, or what is true-you are doing philosophy. Philosophers are thinkers who grapple with abstract ideas, question assumptions, and seek to interpret the world in rational and thoughtful ways.
If you have a habit of critical thinking about your own life, about the world around you, or about deep abstract questions, such as the meaning of life or the nature of consciousness, then you are philosophizing. A philosopher is someone who asks questions, seeks understanding, and puts their reflections to life in application.
3. **Philosophical Practice in Daily Life**
Many of the qualities defining a philosopher are not confined to academic pursuits but spill out into the way one lives. For example:
- **Critical thinking**: Philosophers question assumptions and evaluate arguments logically. If you regularly engage in critical thinking-be it about current events, your own beliefs, or moral issues-you're practicing philosophy.
- **Ethical reflection**: Philosophers consider questions of morality, justice, and ethics. If you reflect on what it means to live a good life or grapple with moral dilemmas in your everyday decisions, you're doing some ethical philosophy.
- **Intellectual humility**: Philosophers recognize the limits of their knowledge. If you approach life with intellectual humility, you realize that there is always something else to learn and sometimes you can be wrong. In that respect, you are embracing an essential feature of philosophical inquiry.
Well, these practices are the hallmarks of a philosophical approach to life, and so you can indeed consider yourself a philosopher if you apply these qualities.
4. **The Role of Formal Education and Recognition**
Traditionally, the status of "philosopher" was often reserved for those with formal academic training or recognition by others within the intellectual community. The likes of Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Nietzsche were considered philosophers because they made seminal contributions to the discipline, through writing lengthy works or shaping the trajectory of philosophical thought.
The division between "amateur" and professional philosophers is not so neat in modern times. While a degree in philosophy, for instance, might fine-tune your own thoughts and provide a network of like-minded people, most of the deep philosophical inquiries and reflections have been conducted by persons without formal philosophical training. People like **Socrates**, who didn't write a thing but nevertheless were recognized as a philosopher by his method of questioning and seeking knowledge, demonstrate that the title doesn't always require formal academic status.
5. **Philosophy as a Continuous Journey**
Philosophy is not a matter of having certain qualifications or expertise. It's more about the process of inquiry and examination that one is going through. Even the most well-renowned philosophers were always revising their ideas and questioning their own beliefs. Philosophy is a journey, not a destination. If you are on the path of constant seeking of wisdom, challenging your assumptions, and thinking critically about the world, you are doing precisely what great philosophers have been doing throughout history.
6. **The Democratic Aspect of Philosophy
One of the great things about philosophy is that it is accessible. Anyone can engage with philosophical ideas and, through reflection and questioning, become a philosopher. You don't have to be an academic to do philosophy. Indeed, many philosophers have said that philosophy is a practice available to everyone, not just to the intellectual elite. This democratization of philosophy means that anyone from any background and with or without formal education can engage in philosophy and count themselves a philosopher.
For instance, many people engage in philosophical thinking through personal reflection, discussions with others, or exploring philosophical texts on their own. You don't need a degree in philosophy to wrestle with big questions and contribute to the ongoing philosophical conversation.
7. **Philosophers in History Who Were Not Academics**
There have been many notable philosophers throughout history who did not hold academic positions or titles. As mentioned earlier, **Socrates** was one of those great figures in the field of philosophy who never wrote a single line himself and neither was he trained academically. **Ralph Waldo Emerson** is another American essayist and poet who had no academic background in philosophy but gave immense knowledge to the world through his essays on individualism and transcendentalism. **Albert Einstein**, best known for his work in physics, made many valuable contributions to philosophical debates on science, ethics, and the nature of reality.
Their examples illustrate well that philosophy is not the exclusive domain of academics or credential-carrying professionals. It is, rather, an open practice that anyone with a reflective and inquisitive mind can engage in.
8. **Philosophy and the Pursuit of Wisdom**
The word "philosophy" itself means the "love of wisdom." If you value wisdom, seek understanding, and commit to an exploration of the truths about life, then you are doing philosophy. Wisdom is more than knowledge or information; it is applying an understanding to life in such a way as to promote personal growth, ethical living, and meaningful engagement with the world. One can, therefore, very well be considered a philosopher who is committed to the acquisition of wisdom, though without formal recognition for the same. Conclusion: Why You Can Call Yourself a Philosopher Basically, whether or not you should call yourself a philosopher depends upon your identification of yourself and your commitment to philosophical thinking. The thinker who engages deeply with big questions about the nature of existence, ethics, knowledge, and meaning, and in such a way that is appropriately critical, reflective, and open, is, for all intents and purposes, a philosopher. Philosophy for its part is less a matter of credentials but rather one of how one approaches life and the world. If you consider yourself a seeker of wisdom, someone who questions and reflects on life, then it is wholly appropriate to call yourself a philosopher. After all, as **Socrates** said, "The unexamined life is not worth living"—and by that measure, anyone who actively engages in philosophical reflection is living a life worth living.
