22 philosophical questions to think about

In a modern day dominated by science, technology and even robotics, It seems that philosophy no longer has a place. However, assuming this is a mistake and above all a danger. Because this area of ​​knowledge is decisive for every generation, for every person regardless of their age. These philosophical questions to think about are an example of why it is so important.

Philosophy develops critical and analytical thinking. It allows us to reflect on the reality that surrounds us from an ethical, open and multidisciplinary perspective. We can all exercise a philosophical mind to be able to build our own vision of the world, being able to give valuable opinions without being conditioned or mediated by others.

Plato, Spinoza, Søren Kierkegaard, Epicurus, Hannah Arendt, Kant, Habermas, Simone Weil or Slavoj Zizek. History has given us eminent figures to learn from and be inspired by. All of them are an example of the need to reason, to reflect freely on the complex present that surrounds us and to understand each phenomenon of our social fabric.

These questions that we now state are an exercise to achieve this same thing…

10 philosophical questions to think about

It is often said that to philosophize is to think in order to reign. Furthermore, that He who masters and delights in the art of philosophy can rise above that great mass that, instead of thinking, lets itself be carried away.. Thus, an aspect that also defines this ancient area of ​​knowledge is freedom, the power to go beyond dogmas, prejudices and preconceived labels.

Philosophy is, after all, an activity that defines human intelligence and that is inspired by two very specific areas: free thought and humility of intellect. Let’s make use of these two dimensions in this short list of philosophical questions to think about.

1. Can we understand good without evil?

Life is made up of dualisms or that is what it seems at first glance. The ethical and the moral, the truth and the lie, beauty and ugliness or wisdom and ignorance… Now, is this applicable to goodness and evil? Is it impossible to conceive one without the existence of the second?

There is no shortage of those who point out that, indeed, that is true, ethics could not be understood without its reverse. To know what light is, for example, it is necessary to first know what darkness is.

2. Is it necessary to always have proof about what is true or true?

This is one of those classic philosophical questions to think about. In fact, it is related to the empiricism, that philosophical theory that emphasizes the relevance of experience and evidence to demonstrate the reality of things. If there is no evidence about something, that something simply does not exist.

What do you think about this?

3. Philosophical questions to think about. Does life have a purpose? If so, which one is it?

Why are we here? From the field of anthropology there is little doubt: we are social “animals” in the midst of an evolutionary journey. We are here because nature wanted it that way. Now, the area of ​​religions, for example, has a different opinion.

From the area of ​​psychology the answer is perhaps simpler: each person must look for the reason why they are here, find their purpose and make it yours.

4. Does free will really exist?

This is another of those most recurring philosophical questions to think about. Figures like Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari warn us that free will is little more than a myth. What’s more, if we assume this we make invisible all the ways in which the powers that be manipulate us… What do you think about it?

5. Does democracy work as it should in all countries?

If there is something that makes philosophical thinking easier for us, it is to delve deeper into all areas of our society and politics is one of them. Is it working as it should in our country? And in the rest of the democratic countries, how does it do it?

6. Why do human beings need to create “art”?

Our ancestors left us authentic works of art on the walls of ancestral caves. Hands, running animals, skilled hunters, humanoid figures and strange symbologies. Human beings have always felt the need to create, to make art a mechanism of expression. and testimony.

7. Philosophical questions to think about. Why are you who you are?

Why are you the way you are? What has made you get to the point where you find your personality, your ideals, your dreams and needs? We could talk about experience, genes, the context that surrounds us, the way we interpret what happens to us…

8. What is humanity’s biggest problem?

This is one of the most interesting philosophical questions to think about. Let’s think about it, what is our biggest problem? Evil and violence? The falsehood? Are we neglecting our planet and perhaps promoting climate change?

In reality, there are infinite problems that define the human being: the inability to cooperate and work together, social harmony, etc.

What according to you is people’s biggest problem?

9. Is there objectivity or in reality, everything is subjective?

There is no shortage of theories and opinions that tell us that People rarely manage to be completely objective. Everything we do, think and express is filtered by subjectivity, emotions and personality. Therefore, it is very difficult to always be objective. What’s your opinion about it?

10. Are we good or bad by nature?

Many philosophers have asked this question throughout history. So we can find variable answers. For example, For Hobbes, human beings are bad by nature, so in order to coexist, absolute power is needed.an authoritarian law that controls the aggressive impulse that arises from the selfish motivation of all beings.

For its part, Rousseau defends that human beings are good and empathetic, because if one sees another suffering, one feels a natural inclination to help.. So, what makes human beings bad? What makes the man bad, what awakens his aggressiveness is the moment in which the first one said “this is mine”, the property. Because if this is mine, another can say, “but I want it too” and thus competition, envy and aggressiveness appear.

At the same time, there are those who defend that there is no human nature. In this sense, the human being will be good or bad according to life experiences, social and cultural influences, and the spirit of the time.

And you do you think? Are we good, bad or neither?

Other philosophical questions to think about

Why is there something instead of nothing? Why are you who you are? Is it okay to lie sometimes? What is nothing? What is time? To what extent does the past influence romantic relationships? Does society influence your relationships? Can you love someone you don’t know personally? Is it possible to be happy being alone? What does infinity really mean? Do things have a meaning in themselves, or are we humans the ones? That we give meaning to what we perceive? Does destiny exist or do we create it with our actions?

To conclude, this list of philosophical questions to think about is an entertaining exercise to oxygenate the mind, reason new perspectives and form our own opinion about things.

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