To seek a philosophy of one's own

Sudhirendar Sharma

Sudhirendar Sharma

Are Greeco-Roman philosophies still relevant to our times? Aren’t our modern problems much different from those faced by people in ancient times? Conversely, however, fundamental human desires and aspirations haven’t changed in the last two millennia or even earlier? Don’t we still want love, friendship, money, reputation and tranquility, and still fear sickness, pain, death? If that is what most of us would agree with, then the instruments devised by the Greeco-Romans still constitute a powerful tool kit to help us figure out how we want to live. That is why the theoretical explanations and practical suggestions of 13 ancient philosophies still relate to us and even guide us.

Live like a philosopher

Live Like a Philosopher can help the reader relate to these philosophers, without being scared off by the big names. Having done a lot of the heavy lifting themselves to develop a life philosophy, the lifetime of distilled ideas by these philosophers can be shared to build a coherent and meaning way of life. From Pythagoras to Socrates, their blueprint for thinking about how to live well are highly relevant. Despite representing different philosophical schools, the three dominant themes that run common in them are - feeling good, being good, and thinking well.      

Pigliucci, Lopez and Kunz invite readers to expand their horizon to the vast richness of ancient philosophies of life. Through each philosopher’s life and works the authors dish out practical exercises that can be applied in our daily lives. These exercises are relevant teachings to be test driven over a course of time. The idea is to help reader with questioning and exploring their own philosophical journey in the process. At the end, what is important is not to stick with one set of ideas but to seek a philosophy that one would like to own. 

The idea of buying a latest shiny smartphone gives us pleasure, but it doesn’t last long and soon dissipates. Like a drug addict we soon resume our quest for another shiny object. Should it be pursued more as a matter of choice or as a philosophical question? Whatever be it, philosophy can help us know what to do in such a situation with a sense of good judgement. Insatiable desire to accumulate more and more things is a form of sickness that not many are aware off. According to the Cyrenaics school of philosophy, we must own our pleasures instead of our pleasures owning us. In other words, it is the immediate physical pleasure that matters, here and now. 

This book is an engaging resource for anyone who would like to test drive the ancient Greek and Roman philosophies to suit present life and circumstances. It creates a much-needed bridge between ancient wisdom and modern interpretation. It helps in better understanding rich philosophical ideas, so that these could be applied in present-day modern life. Live Like a Philosopher gives an illuminating opportunity to navigate the existential waters with valuable insights and reflections. 

Well-known philosophers Pigliucci, Lopez and Kunz have compiled this book that explores a range of Greek and Roman philosophies. These philosophies include the Epicurean doctrines of pleasure and avoidance of pain; the Aristotelian philosophy on virtuous character and radical doubt; and Pyrrhonism, the humbling philosophy of life that admits of not knowing much. Despite distinctions between ancient philosophies, the authors have attempted to draw synergies to address the modern-day challenges. 

Live Like a Philosopher can be helpful in creating meaningful life philosophy to navigate a world filled with uncertainty. How can we build a good life for ourselves? is the loaded question it sought to address, by using ancient philosophies as a compass to find a new way forward with a sense of purpose. On happiness, Aristotle had remarked ‘one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one day’. He went further to say that ‘one day, or a short time, does not make a man blessed and happy.’ A resurgence of interest in philosophies of life is not without reason. 

Live Like a Philosopher

by Massimo Pigliucci, Gregory Lopez and Meredith Alexander Kunz

Headline Books/ Hachette, New Delhi 

Extent: 298, Price: Rs. 699.

(Sudhirendar Sharma is a writer and researcher specializing in development issues. He is based in New Delhi, India.)

First published in Deccan Herald on April 27, 2025.