A taste of practical philosophy

I know what you’re thinking: Philosophy? It’s for aged, bearded gentlemen sitting around with nothing else to do but postulate on man’s quest for meaning.

That may be so.

Practical philosophy, on the other hand, is a little more, well, practical.

For the past couple of Wednesdays I’ve been going to an intro course here in Cape Town (at the aptly named School of Practical Philosophy, but it runs courses all over the country). I was somewhat hesitant at first — I’ve always avoided philosophy classes because I imagined they’d be (more than) a little wanky.

I was wrong.

Throw together 40-odd people who really want to learn, a teacher who volunteers his time and so has all the passion and fire of someone who wants to be there, and free tea and coffee, and you have a recipe for enlightenment. Or, at least, the beginning stages of it. What makes it so special?

No one’s there under duress. I didn’t realise how rare it was to be in a room full of people who are actively involved in whatever is going on … It’s quite wonderful.
It’s so practical. The ideas may be philosophical in nature, but they’re offered as tools to get a handle on this thing called life, and the daily living of it.
You can ask Steve (the teacher) any question and he’ll have some kind of answer for you. He’s been learning about philosophy for 20 years, so he pretty much knows what he’s on about, and it’s enormously refreshing to have someone who will give you an answer to your questions. Any questions (pretty much). At the same time, he’s still studying (all philosophers are still studying), so there’s no hierarchy like there is in school or university.
We’re discussing things like wisdom, and the search for meaning in life, and how to make better decisions, and how sometimes lions think they’re sheep. The kinds of things you can’t really talk about in real life without being looked at funnily. Again, a pleasant change.
Going to weekly philosophy classes adds depth to weekday conversations. Don’t believe me? Try it out — www.philosophyschool.com