What is real life philosophy?

"Real life philosophy" is the term used for philosophies and ideas applied directly to living in everyday life, guiding through challenges, decisions, and complexities. While traditional philosophy often deals with abstract ideas, metaphysical inquiries, and theoretical questions, real life philosophy focuses on how those can be made relevant to practical, real-world situations. It is about finding ways to live a reflective and meaningful life with insights from philosophy.

Here's a breakdown of what it entails in **real life philosophy**.

 1. **Practical Wisdom:

In ancient philosophy, especially in the field of **Aristotle's ethics**, the concept of *phronesis* (frequently translated as "practical wisdom") is central to real-life philosophy. It means the capability to make good decisions in everyday life and to act in ways that promote personal and collective well-being. Aristotle believed, while theoretical knowledge (episteme) is valuable, practical wisdom—rooted in experience and moral character—is essential for living a good life.

In real life philosophy, this would mean:

   - Gaining from experience and using such acquired knowledge to better one's life and society.

   - Dealing with dilemmas by emphasizing virtue, moderation, and balance.

   - Making decisions that consider long-term consequences rather than short-term pleasures.

2. **Existentialism and the Search for Meaning:**

Existentialism, by philosophers like **Jean-Paul Sartre**, **Simone de Beauvoir**, and **Albert Camus**, is the philosophy that explains the meaning of life and questions such as: *What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose?* This philosophy acknowledges that life can feel absurd and challenges people to take responsibility for creating their own meaning in an often chaotic and indifferent universe. In practical terms, this might involve:

- Freedom and responsibility in the choices we make in order to live our lives.

   The finitude and uncertainty of a human existence that needs to be accepted as such.

   Living an authentic life, being true to oneself, and not necessarily adjusting to the expectations of others.

 3. **Stoicism and Emotional Resilience:**

The Stoics were a school of philosophers such as **Epictetus**, **Marcus Aurelius**, and **Seneca** who provided incredibly profound practical wisdom to help people deal with life's hardships. Stoicism underscores the development of virtues: courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance, encourages acceptance of what is outside our control while focusing our energy on things in our power. 

Real life applications of Stoicism include:

Practicing emotional resilience, even when one encounters adversity or hardship. Building character and calm through daily disciplines such as reflection, journaling, and mindfulness. Learning to let go of attachment to outcomes and accept the transience and capriciousness of life. Attending to one's response and attitude to events rather than seeking control of everything outside of oneself.

4. **Mindfulness and Present-Moment Awareness**:

Philosophical traditions like **Buddhism** and elements of **Stoicism** propose a philosophy of living in the present, where the attention is given totally to whatever exists here and now without excesses towards either the pains of the past or angsts of the future.

- Real life philosophy encourages meditation practices, breathing, and contemplation that keep people's feet firmly placed and minds cool in an active and hyper world.

- It teaches that happiness often comes not from external circumstances, but from how we perceive and respond to them.

 5. **Ethics and Morality in Everyday Life**:

Real-life philosophy is very much entangled with ethics, which is a study of how one should live and how to treat other people. Ethical philosophy is practical to personal choices, social interactions, and even broader issues in society. Some of the key ideas in ethics which relate to real-life philosophy include:

- **Utilitarianism** (associated with **John Stuart Mill** and **Jeremy Bentham**) suggests that we should aim to maximize happiness for the greatest number of people. In real life, this can mean considering the impact of our actions on others and striving for the greater good.

- **Kantian Ethics** by **Immanuel Kant** puts forth that others must be treated as ends unto themselves and never merely as a means to an end. This will help in ethical decision-making at the personal relationship, work, and social levels.

 - **Virtue Ethics** advocates for the building of virtuous character traits such as honesty, courage, compassion, and generosity. It emphasizes character and moral development over strict rules or outcomes.

6. **Pragmatism and the Emphasis on Results**:

Philosophers such as **William James**, **John Dewey**, and **Charles Peirce** formulated **pragmatism**, which puts the meaning of beliefs and ideas in the forefront regarding practical consequences. The value of a belief or action depends upon its ability to solve problems and improve life.

   - In real life philosophy, this means making decisions that work in the real world, not just in theory.

- Pragmatism is the willingness to experiment and adjust since everything cannot be a cookie-cutter solution, which allows flexibility and problem-solving to thrive.

7. **The Philosophy of Happiness (Eudaimonia)**:

Various philosophers, such as **Aristotle** and more contemporary thinkers, consider happiness not just in the context of pleasure but in that of *eudaimonia*, or flourishing: the state of living well and reaching one's full potential. For real-life philosophy, this means

- A search for significance, rather than 'pleasurable' times.

   - Relationships, creativity, personal development, and social commitment.

   - Reflection upon so-called values and the will to live in accordance with these values for a full life.

 8. **The Role of Reflection and Self-Examination**:

Philosophy applied in daily life also focuses on self-examination, posing the following questions:

 - **Who am I?**

- **What am I valuing?

   - **How does my behavior match my values?**

  

Real life philosophers encourage ongoing reflection that may be daily or regular. Through philosophical reflection, one can achieve personal growth, better self-awareness, and more thoughtful decision-making.

 9. **Community and Social Philosophy:**

Real life philosophy is not only about the individual, but also about how we live together in society. **Social philosophy** addresses the structures, values, and norms that shape our collective existence. It explores how we build communities, share resources, and treat one another with justice and respect.

- It questions the fairness of social systems, the distribution of wealth, the role of government, and our responsibilities to others.

   - Real life philosophy can lead us to think about ways to contribute positively to society, support marginalized groups, and work toward social justice.

Examples of Real Life Philosophy in Action:

- **Decision-Making**: Using ethical theories, such as utilitarianism or Kantian ethics, to decide how to treat others or to choose between different career options.

- **Dealing with Challenges**: Employing Stoic practices in the process of surmounting personal adversities, such as illness, financial hardship, or relationship problems, by paying attention to factors within your control and accepting what lies beyond your control.

- **Mindfulness**: The practice of being mindful and living in the present moment while at work or experiencing personal life stressors.

- **Self-Improvement**: Reflecting on one's character and striving to embody virtues such as kindness, courage, and wisdom in everyday interactions.

Conclusion:

Real-life philosophy involves infusing philosophical insights into your day-to-day life to make much better decisions, enhancing your personal well-being, and making meaningful contributions to society. It is not simply about abstract theories or scholastic exercises but about how to apply wisdom to life in order to live thoughtfully, reflectively, and ethically. Various philosophical traditions, whether it be existentialism, Stoicism, pragmatism, or ethics, provide real tools with which to address the world and its challenges, urging one to live a purposeful life with self-awareness and resilience.