People I met at the university made fun of those who wanted to study philosophy. It seemed that philosophy had no possible place in the modern industrial and later, the post-industrial world. No corporate behemoth wanted to hire a philosopher to run the company or to do any company jobs. People said that philosophy was dead and no one even cared.

And then soon after, religion was likewise dead. And then an appreciation of beauty in art and architechture was also dead. And now in politics it appears that representational government is perhaps less likely with artifice in voting instead of trustworthy voting with fidelity. And still the SAVE Act hasn’t passed even though 80% of voters think it is a good idea.

Perhaps it’s time to return to philosophy.

Greek philosophy had five branches: Epistemology (the study that answers the question, “What do we know and how do we know it?”), Metaphysics (“What is being and what does it mean to be alive and experienced in this world?), Logic (“What method of reason is the correct one to prove the rightness of understanding?), Ethics (“What is a good life and how does one live a good life?”), and finally, Aesthetics (What is beautiful and how do we recognize beauty?”).

I made a little time to study philosophy. I studied Logic and I have read books about philosophy. I value applying philosophical questions toward living an examined life. Life is so short and I think philosophy can help a person to walk a path toward a happy life.

Some people think that whatever makes a person happy or satisfied in the short term is the best road to happiness. Short-term time tables seem to have taken over all of our lives these days. But many people who live for a longer time into old age can experience a complete change in their thinking about what makes life good and what makes them happy. I think that philosophy can help a person to wander onto a good path and I also think that not every path, even ones that create short-term happiness is a good path in the long term. I think it’s good to prevent regrets later or at the end of life.

Philosophy can help you to discriminate between what will help you and help society and what will harm you and society. Here we are. Finally spring has arrived. The birds are back. Warmer temperatures call us to enjoy being outside more. But remember that philosophy can go with you anywhere. Think of all the questions it can help you answer. You don’t have to be victimized by the anything goes approach to living. You can use your agency to choose well and philosophy can be a helpful guide. Having a pocket full of questions may give you a better chance at happiness.

Buy a copy of Political Catsup with Economy Fries, available at Amazon.com. It can help you to understand how we got to our political here and now and also how economics and politics dance together to organize how you experience opportunity in your life.

To read an article about philosophy branches try this one: https://www.thecollector.com/what-are-the-branches-of-philosophy/. I did.