How to Form a Philosophy (Advanced)

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Decide what philosophy you want to think about

   It is best when deciding what branch of philosophy you want to study, by picking one that deals with topics either relevant to your current subjects.
   
   By that I mean, if you are a musician or artist it is better to study Aesthetics, as this deals with the value of art and 'does it have any meaning?
2. 2

   Step 2: it may be anything from Axiology to Metaphysics; you decide.

   Like the previous step choose one relevant to you, especially if this is your first attempt at forming a philosophy from scratch.
   
   It can be very difficult to get into and concentrate on something unfamiliar or uninteresting, this might put you off philosophy or lower your confidence if you decide to give up on a topic you don't like.
   
   So best to start with something you like. , By writing them down it'll be easier to keep track of what you think, it will also make it easier for you to spot flaws in you thinking and why you think those things, however you must look at these notes as if they are someone else's, to make yourself truly impartial. , Make sure you do research of both sides as you'll have a biased opinion from the start and as you try to prove one side or the other you won't have the full facts, probably ending up with an ill defended conclusion.
   
   People will immediately see the flaws and tear your philosophy apart. , A mind map will help you.
   
   As stated earlier this will help you spot flaws in what you think and how to remedy these flaws to form or attempt to form your flawless philosophy or truth, which is the philosophers end goal. ,, It is best for you to do some research by asking people's opinions as well, for the reason that they are usually biased.
   
   You can use their opinions to form part of your philosophy, in the sense that you show how there ideas are wrong and yours are right.
   
   This could be done like this:
   If there are only three possible answers, X is wrong because ..., Y is wrong because ..., Therefore Z is right because ...
   
   X says...
   
   Y says... they are wrong...
   
   However if it is done like this... then Z is right.
   
   Roughly like that, hopefully yours will be Z. , Can we know? Rip it to pieces and ask why? You can't tell what an atom is made of unless you break it apart, you shouldn't stop until you break the philosophy down into it's constituent parts.
   
   A's philosophy is X, X is formed from Y+Z, so A's philosophy is Y+Z.
   
   However Y is formed from Q+U but Z is a truth or the base, therefore A's philosophy is (Q+U)+Z or X. , Making assertions like the previous statement will help you build your argument, by proving it or: , Counter arguing will help breakdown the philosophy or narrow down the possible answers there could be. , If you find some truth like Z which is an axiom or self evident truth requiring no proof you're actually getting somewhere, but if you've broken down the philosophy of X by A into: (Q+U)+Z or X, Or X to be true all of it's constituent parts need to be true, like a healthy person must be by definition made up of healthy parts or else he would be a lame man.
   
   The rest of his body may be healthy, but if his one lung doesn't work he is not a completely healthy person.
   
   Therefore if Q,U and Z are right then X is right however if Z and Q are right but U is false then X must be false; following our lame, healthy man allegory. , finding other truths based on your first truth.
   
   If Q,U and Z are right and X is right then you've wasted a lot of time proving something someone else has already proved however if you prove Q and Z but not U, meaning X is untrue, start looking at what could produce a truth using Q and Z but not U, unless you are looking at the opposite of U to find a truth that is. ,, Remember, though, that philosophy is a continual process of old philosophies either dying and been thrown out or rejuvenating and evolving.
   
   Greek thoughts about the universe, like Thales belief that the universe was made out of water has been proved wrong by new technology, try to ensure your philosophy can evolve like Socrates or Kant.
   
   It is easier to have a more flexible system in ethics and political theory than in epistemology and metaphysics which compete with medicine and psychology which are sciences not arts like philosophy; they instead based mostly on empiricism.
3. 3

   Step 3: Go even deeper now and select a sub-category; for example if you chose Metaphysics

4. 4

   Step 4: you'll need to decide whether you want to examine ontology

5. 5

   Step 5: philosophy of mind or body

6. 6

   Step 6: or religion.

7. 7

   Step 7: Start by making notes on what you think on the subject

8. 8

   Step 8: even if your views are ill-informed

9. 9

   Step 9: write them down.

10. 10

    Step 10: If you don't have an idea don't worry

11. 11

    Step 11: start by doing some research into it

12. 12

    Step 12: look at both sides and form an opinion.

13. 13

    Step 13: For those who have an idea

14. 14

    Step 14: start looking at why you think what you think.

15. 15

    Step 15: Once you have done that

16. 16

    Step 16: do some research

17. 17

    Step 17: look at both sides

18. 18

    Step 18: but don't form an opinion

19. 19

    Step 19: as stated for those without an idea.

20. 20

    Step 20: take everything you have; your opinion

21. 21

    Step 21: other people's opinions and why you and they think that.

22. 22

    Step 22: Start by tearing into the problem

23. 23

    Step 23: it may be is there a reality?

24. 24

    Step 24: Have an argument with yourself

25. 25

    Step 25: make a statement about the subject

26. 26

    Step 26: like 'I know there is a reality

27. 27

    Step 27: because I can sense it'.

28. 28

    Step 28: Counter argue

29. 29

    Step 29: 'but have your senses never deceived you before?'.

30. 30

    Step 30: Keep doing this until you get to some truth or certainty and if you can't just say it is impossible to know and ask why is it impossible for me to know?

31. 31

    Step 31: Once you have a truth

32. 32

    Step 32: build it up

33. 33

    Step 33: allow your thought to expand out like tree roots

34. 34

    Step 34: starting from one root or truth and growing more roots

35. 35

    Step 35: Continue arguing these points to ensure these are truths and just keep going.

36. 36

    Step 36: Eventually

37. 37

    Step 37: you might just have a strong argument for there being a reality

38. 38

    Step 38: it is a good idea to write these down in a notebook throughout your forming of the philosophy

39. 39

    Step 39: you can then write these more formally

40. 40

    Step 40: at a later date.

Detailed Guide

About the Author