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Philosophy Messed Me Up
When I was selecting my subjects for GCSE my school had started to offer an As Level in Philosophy instead of a standard GCSE subject. It was the first year they had done so.
I’ve always considered myself to be a thinker and had been drawn to the idea of taking Philosophy at college. Here was my chance to start early!
To study the As in Philosophy you had to be an exceptional student. I don’t know how, but I managed to talk my way on to the course. Despite being a below average student I managed to finesse my way onto the course.
Philosophy Taught Me to Question My Thoughts
Philosophy is the study of the world we live in, how we view it and the societies we’re apart of. Often Philosophy is based around abstract thoughts and ideas. We’re taught to question the very nature of human thoughts.
I loved it.
‘I think therefore I am.’
A phrase created by René Descartes that he felt could not be doubted.
Since he was the one doubting it proved to him that he existed. I remember arguing this point in class. The problem with the phrase is that he had already assumed he exists to be able to claim that it is he that is thinking.
My all-time favorite, however, was the problem with evil. The only paper I ever got an A* on. It’s an argument that serves to support atheism. Scottish Philosopher David Hume talks in-depth about God and the problem with evil in his Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.
“Is [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? whence then is evil?”
I’m not looking to discourage anyone from studying philosophy, or questioning human nature — definitely do that. This is a cautionary tale about Solipsism and how I think it’s affected me growing up.
