When is World Philosophy Day?
The third Thursday of November is World Philosophy Day.
What is World Philosophy Day?
To ponder, or not to ponder? That is a question to which World Philosophy Day gives a resounding answer. The search for wisdom is essential to cultural and individual development, and World Philosophy Day celebrates philosophical discussion and study.
Philosophy asks what is true. What’s real? What exists? What’s right, what’s wrong, and what can we actually know? These are the sorts of questions philosophers ask. They guess at the nature of things and then work to verify those hypotheses.
We need reasons for our principles and values if we want them to make any sense. For example, why do we have a problem with genocide and human trafficking? The answer is that we think people are valuable in themselves. Genocide and human trafficking disregard human dignity, so we fight these atrocities. Philosophy gives us the basis for our ideas about ideals like democracy, human rights, and justice.
Without philosophy, our actions and our lives become inconsistent, maybe even self-defeating. World Philosophy Day promotes the importance of philosophy and philosophical education. It’s a day to renew our commitment to understanding ourselves and the world around us.
Fun facts about World Philosophy Day!
- The word ‘philosophy’ comes from the ancient Greek language, meaning “the love of wisdom.”
- Aristotle claimed that philosophy begins with wonder.
- German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche spent the last 11 years of his life clinically insane.
- Seneca, a philosopher of Rome, was ordered by the Roman emperor Nero to commit suicide.
- In 2002, UNESCO launched World Philosophy Day to promote international discussion of philosophy with a special interest in diversity and human dignity.
How to celebrate World Philosophy Day:
- Attend a philosophical debate, discussion, workshop, or presentation. Look for events at universities or libraries in your area.
- Crack open a philosophy book. Read a modern philosopher or an ancient one. If you’re not in the habit of reading philosophy, find a book for beginners. Start small, then create a habit of regular philosophical reading.
What’s the hashtag for World Philosophy Day?
Use #WorldPhilosophyDay on social media to celebrate the pursuit of wisdom.