Philosophy

You Are Not Special

August 31, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

You Are Not Special---David McCullough Jr.'s Commencement Speech from Wellesley High School David McCullough Jr., son of historian David McCullough, gained fame in 2012 with a viral commencement speech. As an English teacher at Wellesley High School, he told graduates they were “not special,” challenging the overused “everyone is special” mantra seen in schools and sports. His speech (YouTube) offered a refreshing dose of reality and a grounded perspective.

If everyone is special, then no one is. If everyone receives a trophy, trophies become meaningless. … We’ve come to value accolades more than genuine achievement. We’ve come to see them as the point and are willing to compromise standards or ignore reality if we believe it’s the quickest or only way to have something to display on the mantlepiece. … Like accolades ought to be, the fulfilling life is a consequence, a gratifying byproduct. It’s what happens when you’re thinking about more important things. Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air, and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.

Universality dilutes uniqueness, making ‘special’ lose its meaning as a marker of rare or exceptional qualities that deserve recognition.

Idea for Impact: A life well-lived comes from having a purpose beyond self-aggrandizement.

Why Philosophy Matters

June 25, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Beyond Joy: The Essence of Living Well through Philosophy Philosophy transcends mere instrumentality; it delves into the depths of existence, ethics, meaning, truth, and reality. It goes beyond being a means to the ends of happiness, moral virtue, and critical thinking—it encompasses all these aspects and more.

Philosophy is primarily concerned with identifying what we should pursue as ends in themselves. Philosophy prompts us to reflect on the nature of the good life, the virtues worth pursuing for their own sake, and the guiding principles that shape human behavior towards these meaningful ends. This pursuit may or may not yield happiness. But it doesn’t matter, so long as we live well—which means to live in such ways that align most closely with our inherent natures.

Can’t Control What You Can’t

June 3, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Stoic Control Test: Can't Control What You Can't During the period spanning from 300 BCE to the third century CE, Stoicism flourished as a profound source of guidance, providing comfort to many individuals enduring profound adversity. Its significance declined with the emergence of Christianity, but the essence of Stoicism has experienced a revival in the present era. An increasing number of people are now reconnecting with its enduring significance and gaining valuable insights into the complexities of our modern world.

The crux of Stoic philosophy finds its essence in the Control Test, articulated in the Handbook or Enchiridion, a collection of lectures by the Roman Stoic Epictetus. He succinctly states: “Within our power are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing; not within our power are our body, our property, reputation, office, and, in a word, whatever is not of our own doing.” This underscores that our sphere of influence encompasses our actions, reactions, desires, character, and interactions with others. Everything else—our physical bodies, the actions of others, our reputations, and our material fortunes—lies beyond our control.

You’re eyeing someone special and hoping they’ll catch feelings? Sorry, but that’s out of your hands.

Stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic? Yep, out of your control too.

Dealing with family drama during the holidays? That’s a mix. Some of it you can manage with good communication and setting boundaries, but some things are just beyond your control.

Running short on time? Well, you’ve got a bit of control there too. By managing your time wisely and prioritizing, you can make the most of what you’ve got.

Feeling the pressure of academics? You’ve got some say in that. How? Well, by building good study habits, managing your time well, and reaching out for help when you need it.

Dreaming of landing that perfect job? Sure, you can toss in an application, but who’ll hired? Well, that’s not up to you.

Getting older? Well, that’s mostly out of your control, though making healthy choices can slow things down a bit.

Got hit with a cancer diagnosis? You can give it your all to fight it, but sometimes even the best treatment can’t stop it from spreading.

Idea for Impact: Make the lens of Stoic Control the cornerstone of your daily concerns. It’ll aid you in pinpointing where to channel your energy for maximum effectiveness, alleviating stress, and, crucially, maintaining perspective.

Embracing Cultural Sensitivity: A Case Study of Akira Kurosawa’s Oscar Speech

May 6, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Consider the acceptance speech delivered by the renowned director Akira Kurosawa when he received the Honorary Award at the 62nd Academy Awards in 1989. This award recognized his lifetime achievements and his significant impact on filmmaking, both in Japan and internationally.

I am very deeply honored to receive such a wonderful prize, but I have to ask whether I really deserve it. I’m a little worried, because I don’t feel that I understand cinema yet. I really don’t feel that I have yet grasped the essence of cinema. Cinema is a marvelous thing, but to grasp its true essence is very, very difficult. But what I promise you is that from now on I will work as hard as I can at making movies and maybe by following this path I will achieve an understanding of the true essence of cinema and earn this award. George [Lucas], Steven [Spielberg]. Thank you.

In the Western world, some may perceive this language as a display of false modesty. It appears that the legendary Kurosawa, whose cinematic genius revolutionized storytelling, downplays his abilities and achievements, seemingly deflecting praise.

Let’s Be Cautious Not to Impose Norms We Call Our Own

While Kurosawa’s speech might come across as insincere or disingenuous, it’s important to consider cultural relativism. Different cultures have varying values, norms, and philosophical perspectives. What might be seen as a positive sentiment in one culture can be perceived differently in another.

Respecting Diversity: Avoiding Imposing Personal Norms As this case study illustrates, the concept of humility in Asian cultures may differ from that in Western cultures. Many Eastern cultures approach humility not merely as an understanding of personal limits, but as a way to let go of the self, understand one’s place in the larger scheme of existence, and connect with a greater reality. (In contrast, Western traditions, for they’re based in Abrahamic traditions, often conceptualize humility as submission to God.) Eastern traditions encourage adopting a particular perspective on life, focusing on understanding the small role one plays in a vast universe, appreciating others, and recognizing their inherent worth. For instance, in Buddhism, one of the elements of the eight-fold path is “right intention,” which involves freeing oneself from selfishness, partly achieved through humble thought.

Idea for Impact: Cultural sensitivity is essential to avoid unintentional offense. Interpreting sentiments and communication within the cultural and philosophical context of the individuals involved is crucial for effective cross-cultural understanding and respect.

What Philosophy Isn’t

March 29, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Embrace Philosophical Inquiry: Navigating Complexity and Uncertainty Your goal in studying philosophy isn’t to go about discovering certainties in the same way that, say, mathematics might be. philosophy emphasizes exploring questions rather than finding clear-cut answers.

Philosophy encourages critical thinking about the complexities of existence, morality, knowledge, and reality, rather than seeking simple, black-and-white solutions. You’ll uncover layers of ambiguity and nuance that challenge your preconceptions. Each question explored begets further inquiries, opening up new avenues of thought and prompting deeper reflection.

Philosophy encourages open-mindedness and the willingness to engage with ambiguity and uncertainty. You’ll be exposed to all sorts of new and contradicting ideas, and you may feel unable to hold a firm position or approach anything with absolute conviction. There’ll be plenty of credible arguments against any assertion, highlighting the multifaceted nature of philosophical discourse.

Idea for Impact: You don’t go to philosophy to adopt personal beliefs but to learn how to work with thoughts and ideas. You’ll be able to explore several conflicting arguments and undertake a navigation between them. That’s often a very good objective in itself.

What Isn’t Matters Too

March 27, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

What Isn't Matters Too Science is a fair and square game, distinguished by its unique approach, which prompts practitioners to delineate both the known and unknown boundaries.

Scientists are encouraged to publish failed experiments as a practice that promotes transparency, prevents the repetition of unsuccessful work, and upholds the integrity of the scientific process. This approach allows for learning from mistakes, mitigates biases, and contributes to a more complete and accurate body of scientific know-how.

In the wider scope of philosophical exploration, problem-solving, and decision-making, whether in personal or professional arenas, it’s equally essential to take into account the notion of “what isn’t.” Realizing we don’t have all the answers, finding those missing pieces, and sparking new ideas—that’s diving deep into the heart of it all.

Embracing the unknown not only enhances critical thinking by avoiding assumptions but also encourages collaboration and the development of new perspectives. It promotes a nuanced and open-minded stance towards life, contributing to continuous personal and collective growth.

Idea for Impact: “What Isn’t” is just as important as “What Is.”

There’s Real Danger in Religious Illiteracy

February 20, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

From Harvard’s Religious Literacy Project:

Understanding complex religious influences is a critical dimension of understanding modern human affairs. In spite of this awareness, there remains a widespread illiteracy about religion that spans the globe. There are many consequences of this illiteracy, but the most urgent is that it fuels conflict and antagonisms and hinders cooperative endeavors in all arenas of human experience.

In our multi-faith societies, it’s essential not only to understand our own faith traditions (or lack thereof) but also to grasp the traditions of others. Religion carries significant weight in many people’s lives, shaping individual and collective history, politics, and social dynamics through beliefs, practices, and traditions.

Unfortunately, widespread myths and factual inaccuracies about religious beliefs and texts often lead to misunderstandings and ignorance, fostering fear and prejudice.

Idea for Impact: Take the time to learn about different religions. It gives you a peek into people’s perspectives, values, and what drives them. Plus, it helps you recognize and deal with your own biases and stereotypes.

Balancing Acts: Navigating ‘Good’ Addictions

November 24, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi 1 Comment

Too much of a good thing, we must beware The term “positive addiction” has garnered both praise and criticism. Immersing yourself in creative pursuits such as cooking, sports, music, meditation, dancing, reading, praying, career advancement, or self-improvement can be exceptionally fulfilling without the looming specter of harm.

American psychiatrist William Glasser’s Positive Addictions (1976) laid out six criteria for an activity to be classified as a positive addiction: it should avoid intense competition, require roughly an hour of daily commitment, be done easily without undue mental strain, often be a solitary endeavor, be seen as valuable in physical, mental, or spiritual aspects, offer the potential for personal growth, and not burden you with self-criticism. These positive pursuits only become problematic when they start causing harm to you or your loved ones.

Any form of ‘addiction,’ even when it carries the “good” label, can pose a challenging path to navigate. The key lies in maintaining a well-balanced relationship with your passions. Meditation or contemplation can help you practice detachment from life’s hectic pace, distance yourself from your passion projects, and sustain a healthy equilibrium.

It’s valuable to occasionally hit the pause button and delve into the motivations behind your activities. Are you diving headlong into these pursuits as a means to escape personal issues and evade responsibilities? If you notice your engagement is sliding towards excessive dependence, it’s a warning sign—there’s a risk that they may end up causing harm, not only to you but also to those you cherish.

Idea for Impact: In moderation, take your pleasure, for balance is the key to a life well-lived.

The Dance of Time, The Art of Presence

November 9, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Within life’s rich tapestry, we often find ourselves caught between two elusive realms—the past and the future. As the celebrated German Buddhist nun Ayya Khema eloquently reminds us in her thought-provoking invitation to embark on a journey of mindfulness, Being Nobody, Going Nowhere: Meditations on the Buddhist Path (1987,) our path is a quest for the present moment.

One of our human absurdities is the fact that we’re constantly thinking about either the future or the past. Those who are young think of the future because they’ve got more of it. Those who are older think more about the past because, for them, there is more of it. But in order to experience life, we have to live each moment. Life has not been happening in the past. That’s memory. Life is not going to happen in the future. That’s planning. The only time we can live is now, this moment, and absurd as it may seem, we’ve got to learn that. As human beings with life spans of sixty, seventy, or eighty years, we have to learn to actually experience living in the present. When we have learned that, we will have eliminated a great many of our problems.

Life is a fleeting current, and it manifests not in the echoes of yesteryears, nor in the dreams of morrows yet to come.

The essence of life, the only fragment of existence we can lay claim to, resides in this very moment—the now.

Let’s embrace this moment fully. Let’s resolve to breathe, to cherish, and to be truly present, for each moment is a precious gem, unique and irreplaceable, for once it slips into the past, it becomes but a memory.

Live each moment.

Ethics Lessons From Akira Kurosawa’s ‘High and Low’

October 5, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

The celebrated Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa is known for crafting movies that grapple with moral dilemmas. In his highly regarded work, High and Low (1962,) a successful self-made millionaire faces a wrenching ethical conundrum: his son has been abducted, and he must give up everything he has worked hard for to secure the ransom. However, he soon discovers that the kidnapper mistakenly took his chauffeur’s son instead. The question now becomes: is the life of the worker’s child worth the same sacrifice as his own? In a powerful scene, the millionaire and the chauffeur lock eyes, and the viewers are left to ponder if all lives are equally valuable.

What makes this movie a standout is its portrayal of the intricacies involved in making difficult moral choices. Our conscience cannot always provide us with the necessary guidance to navigate the complex ethical issues we face in modern society, particularly when competing values and interests are at play. Ethical decisions are about more than just meeting a specific standard, as many dilemmas are so multifaceted that it’s difficult to distinguish good from evil or determine which choice is most worthy of preference.

The key takeaway is that tackling complicated moral problems requires continuous effort and investment in researching and contemplating the proper response. Seeking input from trusted colleagues who can provide a secure space to explore the nuances and implications of difficult decisions, particularly those you might not feel comfortable discussing openly due to societal pressures, is critical.

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