My number one (maybe) Philosophy:
Note: This isn’t a “command”, it is merely my own philosophy.
Know why you do things, everything you do, you should know why. If you are not able to present a reason, that you personally see as valid, for why you do something, why do you do it?
So many people do things for no reason, without thinking. Of course, what is a “valid reason” varies from person to person, but I think there are a few things that can be discounted:
-Laziness.
-”Everyone else does it”
-I don’t know
People put such little thought into what they do, you only need to ask “average Joe”; Why do you drink? Why do you watch TV? Why do you read that book? How is that beneficial to you? To find that they have not thought in any great depth about what they are doing. We live in a society of apathy, often it is not conscious to the individual, but perhaps an unconscious apathy is worse than a conscious one.
How can you have your own life if you are not even in your control of your own actions, if you are not observing your reality and responding in a considered fashion? Surely you are not really living your own life, just the life that you see presented to you as “normal” or “proper”.
Know why you do things.
Quote: “When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.” - Eric Hoffer
Hats off to you for this one mate - spot on!
I would appreciate some clarification on your definition of ‘valid’ in this context.
I believe humans were created or have evolved to suit their environment, it has obviously in the past aided the human race to rely on instinct: Whether that instinct is ‘flight or fight’, where thinking at length about the complex ramifications of fighting and possibly killing a wild animal (while being mauled by said animal) is not really a suitable choice of action.
Or…
…the other common instinct which it seems fashionable to denounce, to ‘conform’. OK, so we have average joe, who likes to shop in Gap, why? I think its because he wants to look attractive, which basically means he wants to look how everyone else wants him to look, to be blunt, because this will make it a hell of a lot easier for him to get or keep a girlfriend. You ever thought about why you have a girlfriend, not a boyfriend? Obviously within conforming by wearing fashionable clothes we can also display our own ‘individuality’, although everyone supposedly has there own self-defined individuality so i’m not sure why this isn’t still conforming anyway…I’m just bitter because i always see everyone wearing the same sweat-shirt i just bought from Gap…
Maybe conscience thought is just a deformed instinct that we inevitably lead to humanities demise. Has it really helped so far?
Right, so that was a load of pretentious crap. Sorry to anyone who bothered read this assuming that I might actually come to some kinda useful conclusion!
…ignorance is bliss.
Average Joe