What Philosophy Does To Philosophers

Rohan Somji looks at the consequences of thinking for three antique thinkers.

- Rohan Somji

A philosopher is someone who sees deep questions where others find things straightforward. This I call ‘problematizing’, or, as Plato called it, ‘the search for the essence’. In any case, it instills a sense of mystery, awe and wonder. Now, there are numerous ways of problematizing and dealing with it; but rest assured, the consequences it has on the problematized are definite and enduring.

Where better to look for examples of the impact of philosophy on life than three fathers of Greek thought: Socrates, Diogenes, and Pyrrho? They had widely different, highly eccentric personalities (the price of authenticity, perhaps?). Although they differed in their philosophical approaches, they are all excellent examples of the impact philosophy has, for better or worse.

The last words of Socrates (470-399 BC) were “Crito, we owe a rooster to Asclepius. Please, don’t forget to pay the debt.” Ironic, given that Asclepius was the god of medicine and Socrates had just drunk hemlock. Was he implying that the poison was the cure for life? Or was he just displaying humour and insouciance, even at the brink of death?