Dear Fellow Travelers,
As a reminder, if you missed any of the previous volumes, check out The Philosophy of Desire (Vol. 1), The Self, Shadow, and Sage (Vol. 2), The Wisdom of Wonder (Vol. 3), The Art of Rationality (Vol. 4), Making Sense of Emotions (Vol. 5), and The Paradox of Uncertainty (Vol 6).
Lastly, if you have any questions, thoughts, or suggestions throughout this series, please don't hesitate to share them in the comments.
Be wise and be well.
👁️ Know Thyself
The “Know Thyself” series explores philosophy, theology, and psychology for insights on the art (and science) of self-awareness. Expect to learn perennial ideas and psychological concepts on human nature, along with philosophical lessons on the art of living.
Wisdom is the Way
We live in an age of unprecedented knowledge—yet we often feel more lost than ever. That paradox defines our time. We know more about the stars than the ancients dreamed, yet we struggle to find our place under them. We carry the world’s knowledge in our pockets, yet feel alienated from ourselves and one another. Why? Because while information multiplies, wisdom—the ability to live well, to discern what truly matters, and to act rightly—remains rare.
The Greeks called this pursuit philosophia, the love of wisdom. They saw it not just as a theory but as a way of life—a means to anchor oneself in a chaotic and changing world. The philosopher and historian Pierre Hadot reminded us that philosophy in antiquity aimed to change how we live, not just what we think. It raises questions that are still relevant:
What kind of life is worth living?
And how can I live it?
I’ve pondered these questions myself and asked them to hundreds of podcast guests. Each time, I am reminded that wisdom and self-awareness are lifelong pursuits, not one-time accomplishments. It’s not a possession you can store away. It’s a practice, a path, a way you walk—one step and one question at a time.
This edition of the “Know Thyself” series builds on previous volumes, exploring why wisdom is a way of life and the path to self-awareness.
1. Philosophy as a Way of Life
Everyone lives by some philosophy, consciously or not. As the contemporary philosopher A.C. Grayling writes, even having no philosophy is itself a kind of philosophy—one that amounts to drifting, unexamined and unchosen.
Deliberately choosing a philosophy of life is like identifying a particular target or direction that you intend to head. A philosophy of life typically consists of three intertwined and connected components.
Worldview(s)
Your worldview is how you perceive reality and your place within it. Whether you believe the world is random or ordered, hostile or nurturing, temporary or eternal—you hold assumptions about what is real, what matters, and what’s possible.
The Stoics viewed the cosmos as rational and interconnected, while Buddhists perceive it as impermanent and interdependent. Christians perceive it as brimming with divine love. Philosopher Will Durant summarized this perspective by saying, We are all philosophers; the only question is whether we think for ourselves or rely on others to do so.
Adopting a worldview should be a conscious and deliberate decision. The question, “What kind of world do I believe I live in?” is worth contemplating and revisiting quite often.
Ethic(s)
From worldview flows ethics—how to live, given what you believe about the world. Hadot emphasizes that philosophy isn’t just intellectual; it aims to transform your way of being.
The Stoics believed that ethics involved aligning actions with reason and nature. Epicureans focused on cultivating modest pleasures and friendships. And the Chinese philosopher Confucius emphasized fulfilling one’s role in harmony with others; he taught that to bring order to the world, we must first organize our own lives and families.
When asked, “What constitutes an ethical life?” one might refer to the cardinal virtues of courage, temperance, wisdom, and justice—a set of virtues identified in Plato’s Republic. However, what does it truly mean to be courageous or temperate in everyday life? How do these virtues apply to your particular roles as a citizen, parent, spouse, etc.
Practice(s)
A philosophy of life, as the name suggests, is meant to shape how you live. As the British philosopher Bertrand Russell warned, philosophy risks becoming just a set of abstract doctrines if it is not embodied.
If we examine the lives of philosophers and theologians, we typically find a set of common practices. Marcus Aurelius journaled. St. Augustine prayed. Socrates examined his life. Why? Because choosing a philosophy of life is the easiest part. The real challenge is aligning your actions and life with it.
On the challenges of philosophy, the Stoic teacher Musonius Rufus observed,
The person who claims to be studying philosophy must practice it more diligently than the person studying medicine or some other skill, because philosophy is more important, and more difficult to understand, than any other pursuit.
The key is to remember that a philosophy of life is similar to choosing your map, clarifying your destination, and walking your path. But having a map is not sufficient. To follow it well, you must also know who you are.
2. The Philosophy of Self-Awareness
Socrates warned that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Yet most of us live reactively, carried along by circumstances and habits we hardly notice. Wisdom can awaken us. It can help us see clearly and honestly.
