World Philosophy Day – An Inclusive & Sustainable Future
Written by Phil Hunt
Philosophy is an inspiring discipline as well as an everyday practice that can transform societies. UNESCO highlight this by holding World Philosophy Day on the third Thursday of November every year. On this day the collective exercise of free, reasoned and informed thinking on the major challenges of our time are encouraged.
This Year’s Theme
This year’s theme for WPD is “an inclusive and sustainable future”, with an emphasis on the role of youth. This is an ideal time to consider your own philosophy and how that can be incorporated into your business, working practices and dealings with others. It is a lofty ambition but UNESCO believe that ”in order to build a better world, to move towards an ideal of peace…we must adopt a philosophical approach – namely, we must question the flaws of our world, beyond the tumult of crises”. Philosophy is therefore essential when it comes to defining the ethical principles that should guide humanity.
It sounds very grand, but such thinking begins with each of us individually!
Grounded in Day-to-day Life
It may all seem very lofty, but thinking about some of the big questions – such as how to create a more inclusive and sustainable future – can be applied to some of the smaller, day-to-day considerations which you are faced with on a regular basis. Inclusivity and sustainability are not just buzz words, but concrete ideas which can contribute to the security of the future.
The important point to note is that philosophy is not just about ancient Greek men stroking their beards pondering the meaning of life. All famous philosophers were active participants in their societies, trying to navigate their way through life and improve their societies through critical thinking and, importantly, looking at the world around them and thinking “how can this be improved?”. You may agree with some of the answers to this question more than others, and some may seem just plain odd, but the vital point is to at least think about it. And to think about it using your own thoughts, your own investigations and your own experience.
Philosophy and Science
A lot of emphasis these days is being placed on STEM education and careers. Whilst clearly important, we should not lose sight of the humanities in informing the scientific world. A population of engineers, programmers and mechanics working free of any philosophical considerations is a scary idea. We must continue to ask ourselves the fundamental questions as we grapple with new technology such as AI. As Jeff Goldblum’s character said in Jurassic Park: “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should”!
Your Business
In terms of how this all helps your business in practical ways, it assists with the development of critical thinking skills, which are essential for professional growth. You can gain the knowledge to evaluate information, identify biases and make informed decisions. You can then begin to use your own philosophy to create your company’s ethos, or purpose, that guides its decisions and direction. Consider: what is your business’s current code of ethics or mission statement? What values are important to the organisation? What words and concepts do you want people to associate with the company?
Where to start?
It can be difficult to know where to start if one wants to dive into philosophy. Looking at some classic Stoic quotes is as good a place to begin as any, especially during times when you may be feeling helpless. The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was a follower of stoicism and many of his thoughts still resonate today, for example:
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good person should be. Be one.” This quote emphasises that what we do, not what we say, defines our character. Although you should always be mindful of what you say too, of course!
“The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury”. In other words, rise above negative influences and maintain your integrity.
“How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it”. Do not perpetuate angry or hateful ideas and actions.
“The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts”. Try to escape those online echo chambers!
Parting Words
I would encourage all readers to think about some of the issues briefly outlined above on World Philosophy Day and beyond, and to read more widely on the subject and consider how it can be applied in your day-to-day life and to your business. Consider how your individual contribution can help to bring about a sustainable and inclusive future.
And as a final “thought for the day” a la Radio 4, it is hard to think of better words to live by than this quote from none other than Bill & Ted: “be excellent to each other”!