Rosicrucian Beacon Magazine - 2012-09 - AMORC

Does anything really exist outside my own mind?Countless pages have been written on this problem,and it has become evident that the existence of an externalworld, containing solid extended bodies, is not strictlydemonstrable but demands an act of faith. We need faith inthe adequacy of our own psychic processes, in the essentialhonesty of nature of which we are parts, or, as the Frenchphilosopher René Descartes (1596-1650) put it, “faithin the goodness of God, who does not constantly deceive us”.Moreover, philosophy could hardly maintain itsinvestigative nature if there was a lack of faith that realityis somehow rational, purposeful or friendly, so that if weunderstand it and put ourselves in accord with it, it willsupport our highest aspirations. Far from being able todiscard faith, philosophy requires a deeper, more seriousand fundamental faith than religion, which often demandsunquestioning belief in relatively trivial matters.A Way of LifeThe philosopher’s penchant for building vast ‘systems’embracing the whole scope of human knowledge hasbeen disparaged in recent times. Today there are manyphilosophers who restrict their professional activity tothe analysis of the meaning of words and phrases, tological investigations, or to the criticism of science andits methods.In order to avoid errors and place its conclusions ona firm foundation, philosophy needs (and from ancienttimes has found a place for) such preliminary labour; justas biology needs microscopes and astronomy requirestelescopes. But one whose philosophical work stops shortwith details of this sort does not deserve to be called a‘philosopher’ in the traditional meaning of the word. Ifnothing else were essential, then the microscope makerwould deserve to be called a biologist and themanufacturer of telescopes an astronomer. Theseanalyses certainly do not fall under the headingof wisdom, which is what the philosopher hasfrom ancient times aspired to win.Although the philosophic system neednot be as elaborate as the structural concepts erectedby Aristotle in ancient times, or his more moderndescendents, philosophy still attempts to give lifesignificance, coherence and stability by seeing it as a whole,and in relation to a greater whole. At very least it requiresa world view or cosmological doctrine, an interpretationof the nature of man, and an ethic or doctrine of valuesand conduct. These must together form a coherent, selfconsistentbody of thought in order to form a system, orat least the essential framework of one.Because of the continuing incapacity of the stronglyBecause of the continuing incapacity of the strongly established religions toassimilate and adjust their teaching to our modern scientific understandingof the cosmos, life and man, philosophy alone can guide humanity from itspresent deplorable confusion to its ultimate goal.established religions to assimilate and adjust their teachingto our modern scientific understanding of the cosmos, lifeand man, philosophy alone can guide humanity from itspresent deplorable confusion to its ultimate goal. It is ourbest hope. Philosophy at its highest has had aims as loftyas religion at its highest, but its methods are far moreadequate; for it is critical and capable of growth, whereasinstitutional religion clings desperately to outwornnotions of a bygone age.Philosophy, we should never forget, was in the daysof its glory in the ancient world not simply an intellectualexercise but a way of life. The Stoic, the Epicurean, thePythagorean, the Platonist or the Neo-Platonist didPhilosophy alone can guide humanity from itspresent deplorable confusion to its ultimate goal.It is our best hope.not merely learn the principles of his philosophy; helived it. When we consider all that this venerable termimplies, perhaps it is audacious of anyone to claim forthemselves the honourable title of philosopher. But onewho aspires to it must above all endeavour to live like aphilosopher; for the ability to expound philosophicalconcepts and doctrines does not of itself entitle anyoneto this designation. The true philosopher must be readyto accept obligations and endure hardships, to modify hisoccupations and habits, the whole tenor of his life, as hisphilosophy demands.34The Rosicrucian Beacon -- September 2012