10 Rules of Philosophy to Live By

10 Rules of Philosophy to Live By

Human beings have the extraordinary capacity for complex, abstract thought, which separates us from other animals. However, our imperfect minds have generated terrible mistakes and dangerous ideologies. To avoid these, we must follow the 10 rules of philosophy to live by.

The first rule is to be sincere. Sincerity in thought requires overcoming an ego that hates admitting being wrong. The most dangerous enemy of sincerity is not deliberate deception but the desire to be right overpowering the desire to get to the truth. Being sincere requires us to aim at truth in discussions.

The second rule is to be charitable. To avoid the "vulgar error" of "putting nothing but nonsense into the Mouth of the Adversary," we should employ the principle of charity. This requires us to consider the best, strongest version of an opponent's argument, not only the worst.

The third rule is to be humble. There are times when confidence and conviction are needed. But when we're trying to think as clearly as possible, their absence is a virtue, not a vice. Humility allows us to acknowledge our limitations and avoid overconfidence.

The fourth rule is to keep it simple, but not simplistic. It is futile to do with more things that which can be done with fewer. Simplicity allows us to focus on the essential things and avoid unnecessary complexity.

The fifth rule is to watch your language. Words are essential tools for communication, and getting them right is crucial. Philosophers have always been keen to define their terms and use language accurately.

The sixth rule is to be eclectic. Many essential issues cannot be resolved with just one kind of expertise. Breadth of thought requires the sacrifice of some depth, but it allows us to think about complex issues from different perspectives.

The seventh rule is to think for yourself, not by yourself. No culture has a monopoly on wisdom, and each culture has a lot to learn from others. Having the courage to make use of your understanding is the motto of enlightenment.

The eighth rule is to seek clarity, not certainty. Philosophers aim at the logical clarification of thoughts. Certainty is seductive and the friend of dogmatism, arrogance, and fundamentalism. Those who seek it should be careful what they wish for.

The ninth rule is to pay attention. Paying close attention, rather than constructing arguments, lies at the heart of the best philosophizing. Arguments do matter, but assessing the validity of our reasoning requires paying close attention to its progression more than it does knowledge of formal logic.

The tenth rule is to follow the mean. Aristotle's doctrine of the mean says that for practically every virtue, there is not an opposite vice but an excess and a deficiency. Following the mean allows us to avoid extremes and find balance in our lives.

In conclusion, following these ten rules of philosophy will help us to live better lives. They allow us to think more clearly, communicate more effectively, and avoid harmful ideologies. By embracing these rules, we can become more thoughtful and virtuous individuals.