“Philosophizing is practice for death,” says Plato's Socrates through the words of Czech philosopher Tereza Matějčková.
We've also (modestly) philosophized and practiced death in a new podcast. During Christmas, we often struggle with loneliness: according to some philosophers, however, loneliness is a luxury of modern times. Why?
Because it's a chance not to live according to others. To act authentically for yourself, regardless of the wishes of family or society. To “follow your own truth.”
But beware, don't confuse it with being alone: that, on the other hand, is the result of breaking free from family ties. After all, Georg Simmel said: only modern man begins to die – precisely because he realizes his individuality and finiteness. He does not see himself as a mere continuation of the family.
According to Hegel, it may ultimately be the funeral that brings us back to the community. And if we don't do it, we harm ourselves: we disrupt our own community and our own inclusion.
And last but not least: philosophy has always been interested in the fact that man does not merely “fail” like other animals, but somehow takes care of that failure. We often say that we are fighting something – people or diseases. But we go even further. We learn from it, we correct past mistakes. We hurt ourselves, but at the same time we forgive ourselves and enrich ourselves.
We grow from conflicts, and family conflicts are something that “creates us together” and connects everyone. And it's more visible at Christmas than ever.
Therefore, if you want to gather yourself, calm down, reflect and escape from the scatteredness of today's world during these Christmas holidays, Tereza Matějčková recommends philosophy. And you can start with our podcast with Tereza!
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