Fabrice Midal - The Three-Minute Philosopher: Inspiration for Modern Life

Philosophy takes us by surprise. It challenges us, awakens us, and opens our minds. Thats why we need it so badly.

Nowadays, philosophy is more important than ever because its the antithesis of the rampant dogmatism that dominates so much public discussion, of the vehemently expressed opinions of those who think they know everything and who want you to agree with them.

Socrates, the father of Western philosophy, insisted that he was an expert in nothing. He would stand in public and ask everyone questionsabout their life, their profession, their tastes. He didnt try to sermonize. He explained that he himself knew nothing, that he wasnt even a sage, a term that only applied to the gods, if they existed. He explained that it is pointless to aspire to being wise. Instead, we should focus on what it is that makes us human. For, in so doing, we have everything to gain.

Philosophy does not counsel us to be wise, to be perfect or godlike, but instead to nurture our own humanity.

And this is why Socrates asked questions, why he dared challenge the seemingly obvious and indisputable. He wanted to open our eyes. To give us confidence in our capacity to feel, to think, and to love. As this is what philosophy teaches us: the value of exploring our own experiences in depth.

Self-proclaimed experts tell us to listen to and obey their injunctions, while philosophers encourage us to think for ourselves.

For several years, I have been trying to understand the new forms of daily aggression that weigh on us and distance us from our humanity, our convictions, and our aspirations. Whether youre a nurse, a doctor, a baker, a lawyer, or a social worker, you might feel the same way as I do: that we are often asked to do something that doesnt make sense for social, political, or economic reasons. We convince ourselves that were not doing enough and we push ourselves to the point of burnout.

Philosophy can help us precisely because it does not tell us to be calmer or to be perfect, to be like a robot or an algorithm. It encourages us to be human.

The following chapters each take only three minutes to read. Three minutes to reconnect with your humanity and free yourself from the brutal diktats of the constant need to perform. Philosophy addresses what makes us human and it helps us navigate everyday life: from dealing with an annoying colleague at work, to the panic upon realizing that your fridge is empty when guests arrive out of the blue. When our lives feel increasingly abstract, philosophy is a very concrete tool.

I have chosen quotes that do justice to Socratess genius, in that they do not necessarily come from the traditional canon of philosophy, but from a range of artists, thinkers, and writers. We do not always find philosophy where we expect to and that is why it is both beneficial and necessary.