🖌️ Monday Muse
The Monday Muse is a weekly collection of reminders, insights, and maxims on the art of living. The term “muse” has two meanings: (1) a state of deep thought; and (2) a source of inspiration. May the following (in a small way) be a source of contemplation, insight, and wisdom to live your highest good.
📌 Perennial Reminder(s)
The British philosopher A.C. Grayling on philosophy and metaphysics:
Metaphysics is an inquiry into the nature of reality and existence. What exists, and what is its nature? What is existence? What are the most fundamental kinds of being? Are there different kinds of existence or existing things? Do abstract entities outside space and time, such as numbers and universals, exist in addition to concrete things in space and time, such as trees and stones? Do supernatural entities such as gods exist in addition to the natural realm? Is reality one thing or many things? …
Metaphysics and epistemology are central to philosophy as a whole; they are, as it were, the physics and chemistry of philosophy; understanding the problems and questions in these two inquiries is basic to discussion in all other areas of philosophy. […]
Source: The History of Philosophy
📜 Perennial Maxim(s)
The French writer Voltaire on knowing what to say and not to say:
Are you quick to give (unsolicited) feedback to others? It’s interesting to reflect on what should be said and what should not. The next time you find yourself called to give feedback to someone, consider reflecting on Voltaire’s quote.
💡 Perennial Insight(s)
The author and professor Dilip Jeste, M.D., on self-reflection:
Self-reflection is the exercise of introspection, the examination of our own mental and emotional processes to better understand their fundamental nature, purpose, and essence. It’s a profoundly important and obvious element of wisdom. … Reflection gives the brain time to pause, to untangle and sort through the myriad observations and experiences that wash over and through it every second of every waking hour—and perhaps in many sleeping hours as well. It provides time to consider multiple interpretations and create meaning, which in turn becomes learning and shapes our future thoughts and actions.
Self-reflection is critical to learning. … Self-reflection leads to a greater understanding of one’s own emotions, cognitions, and behaviors, what the philosopher Daniel Dennett describes as the ability to experience ourselves and be the ‘author of our own lives.’ […]
Source: Wiser (via In Search of Wisdom)
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Thank you for reading; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
J.W. Bertolotti
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