By Sofia Perez
Philosophy gets a bad rap for its pretentious, abstract, and often-hypocritical way of viewing the world.
It’s the unmarried man prescribing celibacy, the wealthy European aristocrat championing communism.
In a world of economic hardship and social injustice, those who have the privilege to contemplate abstract theories from centuries past are in the minority.
It’s the elite, educated few who can even define what these theories are and all their hypothetical implications.
“Ah yes, that’s quite problematic,” a student of philosophy might regularly remark when considering any one of these frameworks.
In the meantime, the “real world” continues to drag along, looking hopefully to the fields that have some “real application”.
This view of philosophy is unfortunate, though.
Right from its birth, philosophy was meant to be for all people. It was, in many ways, the original “self-help”.
In fact, Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher, highlighted this by likening the field of philosophy to medicine: “Empty is that philosopher’s argument by which no human suffering is therapeutically treated. For just as there is no use in a medical art that does not cast out the sicknesses of bodies, so too there is no use in philosophy, unless it casts out the suffering of the soul.”
“Empty is that philosopher’s argument by which no human suffering is therapeutically treated. For just as there is no use in a medical art that does not cast out the sicknesses of bodies, so too there is no use in philosophy, unless it casts out the suffering of the soul.”
Epicurus
To apply this idea, making philosophy not only accessible, but useful, we will review philosophical frameworks and how to apply them when problem-solving.
#1: Kant on Aesthetics
What is it?
Kant’s theory on aesthetics revolves around the idea of beauty and the experience of the sublime.
He believed that our appreciation of beauty comes from a feeling of pleasure that arises when we perceive something as harmonious and well-proportioned.
This sense of beauty is not just about the object itself but also about how we perceive and interpret it.
For Kant, true aesthetic appreciation involves a “disinterested pleasure”, meaning we enjoy something for its own sake, not because it serves a practical purpose or satisfies a desire.
How can you apply it to problem-solving?
Disinterested Pleasure: Try to approach problems with an open mind, without personal bias or vested interests, to see solutions more clearly.
Harmony and Proportion: Seek balance in solutions, ensuring all parts work well together and the outcome is well-rounded and cohesive.
Universal Validity: Aim for solutions that can be universally appreciated or accepted, considering the broader implications and appeal.
Designing Solutions:
Design: Strive for elegant and user-friendly designs.
Evaluation: Assess solutions based on their overall balance and coherence.
Impact: Consider the wider, universal impact of solutions, aiming for broad applicability and acceptance.
For example:
Product Development: Focus on the form and function of products to ensure they are not only effective but also enjoyable to use.
Art Therapy: Integrate aesthetic experiences in therapeutic settings to support mental health and well-being.
Sustainable Design: Create eco-friendly products and structures that blend harmoniously with the natural environment.
#2: Ecofeminism
What is it?
Ecofeminism is a movement and philosophy that links the exploitation and degradation of the natural world with the oppression of women.
It argues that the same patriarchal systems that harm the environment also perpetuate gender inequality.
Ecofeminists believe that addressing environmental issues and gender equality together can lead to more effective and just solutions.
They advocate for sustainable practices that respect both nature and human communities, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life.
How can you apply it to problem-solving?
Interconnectedness: Recognize the interconnected nature of social, environmental, and gender issues, and address problems holistically.
Care Ethics: Emphasize care, empathy, and relational approaches in problem-solving.
Equity and Justice: Focus on fairness and justice, particularly for marginalized groups and the environment.
Designing Solutions:
Holistic View: Address problems by considering their broader social and environmental context.
Empathy: Incorporate empathy and care in decision-making processes.
Fairness: Ensure solutions are equitable and just, benefiting all stakeholders, especially the vulnerable.
For example:
Interdisciplinary Projects: Collaborate across disciplines to address environmental and gender issues holistically.
Community Empowerment: Engage with and empower marginalized communities to participate in environmental decision-making processes.
Resource Management: Promote community-based natural resource management that respects both ecological integrity and traditional knowledge.
#3: Constructivism
What is it?
Constructivism is a theory about how people learn and understand the world.
It suggests that knowledge is not passively received but actively constructed by individuals through their experiences and interactions.
In this view, learning is a process where learners build on their existing knowledge by connecting new information to what they already know.
Constructivism emphasizes the importance of hands-on, experiential learning and encourages environments where learners can explore, ask questions, and engage deeply with the material.
How can you apply it to problem-solving?
Active Learning: Engage actively with problems, experimenting and learning through doing.
Prior Knowledge: Build on existing knowledge and experiences, connecting new information to what is already known.
Collaboration: Work collaboratively, valuing diverse perspectives and collective problem-solving.
Designing Solutions:
Experimentation: Use hands-on, experimental approaches to understand problems and test solutions.
Integration: Integrate new ideas with existing knowledge for deeper understanding.
Teamwork: Foster collaboration and value diverse inputs in problem-solving processes.
For example:
Hands-On Learning: Encourage experiential learning through lab experiments, simulations, and project-based activities.
Collaborative Projects: Foster collaborative problem-solving where students and professionals build on each other’s ideas.
Environmental Education: Use experiential learning to teach about environmental issues and sustainability practices.
To wrap things up…
Finally, a note to all untrained philosophers.
In applying these frameworks to address social and environmental problems, you don’t need to be in academia. Nor do you need to know the ins and outs of every component of these approaches.
Philosophy is, in so many ways, rooted in application.
It is about, as Epicurus says, therapeutically treating the suffering of the soul- emotionally, intellectually, spiritually…
It is about how we understand the world, how we understand ourselves, and how we decide what actions to take.
In that sense, philosophy is not only useful, but necessary.
Sources
for, Philosophy. “Philosophy for Life.” Philosophy for Life, 25 Nov. 2010, www.philosophyforlife.org/blog/philosophy-as-self-help. Accessed 30 May 2024.
Ginsborg, Hannah. “Kant’s Aesthetics and Teleology.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2005, plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant-aesthetics/.
Learning Theories. “Constructivism – Learning Theories.” Learning Theories, 5 Mar. 2020, learning-theories.com/constructivism.html.
Miles, Kathryn. “Ecofeminism | Sociology and Environmentalism.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2018, www.britannica.com/topic/ecofeminism.
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