How To Be a Philosopher

Throughout history, philosophers have tackled a number of questions, but on the side they have provided something almost as valuable - an implicit guide on how to think like some of the brightest minds in history. And that is what we shall be exploring today. So here is how to think like a philosopher.
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00:00 The Philosophers' Guidebook
01:07 Let's Get Specific
06:29 Originality and Creativity
12:08 Courage and Inquiry
18:03 Doubt and Dubitability
22:39 Theory, Practice, and Habituation

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

LINKS AND CORRECTIONS Support me on Patreon here: patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?Link& Sign up to my email list for more philosophy to improve your life: forms.gle/YYfaCaiQw9r6YfkN7

[@toltacoatl]

who wants to think like a loser? from a million philosophers 100 make their way into libraries. most of em post mortem. only a fool would like to think like a philosopher. the call is just as charming as a call like 'wanna think like car mechanic'? u university guys lost it long time ago...

[@IisLasagna]

​@@toltacoatlb-b-but it's fun😢(/hj/srs)

[@fakenamedontuse9642]

​@@toltacoatlbro looked up the philosophy channel to post this lol

[@gravitheist5431]

Yet another jam packed thought provoking video , great work Joe 💪

[@Soumyeahdeep]

I'll have 100% attendance in class if this scholar enlightens me with his rich lectures everyday at my college.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Ah thank you! That is very kind!

[@KalmateTurista]

He hot af too

[@Soumyeahdeep]

@@KalmateTurista I'm not gay. So that matters to me is his wit.

[@KalmateTurista]

@@Soumyeahdeep witty, and hot af

[@leoncimi08gem65]

Facts

[@LCTesla]

Philosophy is like thinking, except you don't _stop_

[@rubigee4397]

Critical* thinking

[@LCTesla]

@@rubigee4397 god I wish that were true of most "philosophers"

[@Tyler_Adhikari]

Nope keep on thinking about something. You’ll always come up with the same answer that there is no definition for something it just is. ( The Void )

[@daanschone1548]

​@@rubigee4397or is it?

[@kasuo7039]

@@Tyler_Adhikariit just is and also could not be, and everything in between and everything outside. Important thing to keep in mind with this view, is that it is itself absurd, or not, or both etc.

[@TwoDudesPhilosophy]

Step 1: Doubt everything Step 2: Correct all of your non-philosopher friends on their lifestyle Step 3: Regret becoming a philosopher for the rest of your life

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Haha! There is a fair bit of that as well. And of course, step 4 - wish you studied maths instead

[@ewjo03]

@@unsolicitedadvice9198 As a math student who's minoring in philosophy, it's good to hear this.

[@sir_albaxious1909]

The last thing is what I am going through right now...

[@IntelR]

Correct? Is there a correct way to live?

[@MclesRaysen]

@TwoDudesPhilosophy that is me 💀

[@halalmon]

Though I have faced the worst side effects of social media, being able to access your quality work makes me feel immensely thankful for it.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you! I am glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@FinnAppelt]

Sameee, theres so much shit i do and habits i hate because i grew.up on the internwt but also some of.my best personal aspects come from me being able to acces content like this

[@alessio7972]

For the very young philosophers among us: Doubt should be a tool that is consciously used when needed, not a dictum that steers your life. This is something I had to learn the hard way.

[@cyborg4200]

I will have your word in my mind 😉

[@godot9223]

I needed a video like this. I've been thinking like a philosopher for the last 12 months of my life and people have been looking at me like I'm crazy.

[@RemiBronze]

Listened to this while bathing my angry cat, 10 / 10

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Oh I hope you don't have too many scratches

[@JEY28]

Your productivity is insane. Quality and quantity!

[@cerdic6586]

Live an unconventional life, make mistakes, endure suffering, question everything, know yourself, read voraciously, worship doubt and challenge those who claim to possess the truth.

[@JohnM77]

Why unconventional life?

[@cerdic6586]

@@JohnM77 It is typical of philosophers and artists (Bohemianism). It helps to produce an independent and creative soul, a rational distance from social conditioning, and a unique perspective from which to build your thought processes.

[@mikeking9373]

Joe, you're one of those teachers your former students will always remember and credit with changing their lives. I earned two post secondary degrees and had many good teachers during my years of study. However, those of your caliber I can count on one hand. This isn't sunshine up your kazoo from an adoring fan, but rather the plain, simple truth.

[@andrei8484]

I see Unsolicited advice post, I click!!!

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Haha! That is very kind

[@JDBarker2]

Always

[@gravitheist5431]

Not me lol I have to leave enough time before bed to think through the thousands of thoughts running through my head so I can get to sleep.

[@Hatsuu20110]

I have never been interested in Philosophy until I stumbled upon your channel a few delightful months ago. Our philosophy classes back in highschool and college were always the equally repetitive and mundane lectures. There was hardly any profound discussion because it was mostly just the students reading the texts out loud and then the professor assigning us to write our own reflection on the subject at the end of each session afterwards. Nothing had made me wish for the bell to ring sooner. But right now, I look forward to every notification I get from this channel. Your videos are far more enlightening than the years and semesters I spent on my actual philosophy classes

[@niyajoby2150]

It's amazing that you are able to include the thoughts of many philosophers who have contributed to the themes, Kudos to you and amazing video mate

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Ah thank you! That's very kind! I occasionally like to take a step back from doing deep dives into individual works and take a broad view on things

[@gokhantoksoy2826]

This became my favourite channel on KZbin. Thank you for your effort, time and energy.

[@bitofwizdomb7266]

I’m not afraid of getting old . I’m just one less day from dying young. More time to indulge into philosophy which I’ve been doing for many yrs 👍🏻

[@karenjeandiez6331]

When i read the Bible verse "The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".. I did not understand it... But when i read what Socrates said that "The definition of terms is the beginning of wisdom" ... I know immediately that he made sense ..

[@AB-xi9im]

thanks for the unsolicited advice

[@JoeMama-cm1bq]

The beginning quote was powerful

[@haschemhallouane6035]

I have discovered your channel a couple of months ago and since the I have loved every video. Keep up the great content!

[@Asher-the-great]

Your content is great, and I thank you for all the effort you're putting into making these videos because I really need them.

[@TimJapan]

This is gold. You just don't know, Thank you, Your closing message is an inspiration to us all.

[@somesalvadorianguynamednat9413]

Im happy to see this channel grow, keep it up

[@user-eg4nj5mw1d]

You're great at what you do. Loved seeing you on Within Reason.

[@JDBarker2]

I love your videos thank you so much for all the content you provide. I would love to hear you. I don’t even care what it’s about but to hear the way to philosophical people debate back-and-forth I think it would be very eye opening on how brilliant minds could rationally come to different conclusions.

[@user-tg1ti1dm2r]

Hey Joe, love your videos! It’d be really awesome if you could add references in the description to the books and sources you use to make your points. It’d help a lot for deeper dives. Keep up the great work!

[@darkhelix5369]

I needed this confirmation that I'm not stupid when I start to elaborate on a serious topic by discussing what each party understands by certain words. I have often been dismissed just for this, with remarks like 'there he goes philosophizing again,' even though they asked me about these more complex topics, and I just wanted to clarify what we're talking about. Thank you!

[@CrimsonSlayer7]

Hello my friend, this is my first time coming to your channel and i am now subscribed. Also the name "unsolicited advice" is golden

[@sal8182]

I love your videos and the approach you take on certain topics

[@Gmod2012lo1]

I am preparing for the CAE exam and your videos make my brain go squishy. You are a profound young lad, sir.. dude.

[@AndCoreTaker]

bro believe it or not , your video legit helped me the most i am just seeing your video everyday

[@andrewmoonbeam321]

You're on a roll.

[@gokhantoksoy2826]

Thanks

[@klosnj11]

Literally just finished the 5 dialogues last night. This could not come at a better time. My brother also bought me The Republic, but I have a few more things to get through before I try and tackle that.

[@ChristopherOwens-fx3zz]

your videos are so awesome dude

[@jordanmcmurray847]

Thanks!

[@price_2594]

Love your work. Can you make a video on how you got into philosophy and how should a newcomer approach it?

[@omegadoinker6919]

I'm in research and once heard a real smart professor advise to " never talk yourself out of an experiment". Just as true in the lab as it is in your mind. Nice work on this one

[@markmarkmark08]

Great, quality KZbin content 🔥💪 Thank you!

[@trelligan42]

"Russell's message is well worth listening to." And yours as well, my friend. #FeedTheAlgorithm

[@danielbarrero2815]

Excellent video!

[@orwell6717]

I really enjoy your videos. Your precision distincts you from soooo many other "philosophy youtuber". Your channel is on part of Tim Berners Lee vision for the internet. I wondered whether you have thought about making a video about "Bullshit"? I think it's the opposite of thinking you present us.

[@rgarlinyc]

Thank you.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you for watching!

[@Rithwik1457]

No cap , your videos need more attention

[@klosnj11]

Your point on having to sometimes try progressing without a solid base to see what happens reminds me of some of the harder Sodoku puzzles. It can get to the point where, given the information available, there could be two or three different possibilities, but untill you work through one assumption or another, you wont find a flaw. You just have to proceed forward and see if it works, coming back if it doesnt.

[@user-uw7lu2sp5n]

Man you're fantastic and we both share the same interests

[@amirattamimi8765]

What a great video

[@Tontoquienloleation]

I'm gonna tell you somethi g right now becsuse I'm very drunk and I wouldn't admitt it otherwise, but I like listening to your videos before sleeping. They're interesting and they help me sleep without having to watch you. Anyway I hope that sounds like a compliment, because that's what's meant to be. I'm gonna try to sleep now while listening to you

[@rubin6202]

what i got from the video= Value of Specificity: Philosophers emphasize the importance of being specific in definitions and arguments to avoid confusion and enhance clarity in discussions. Critical Thinking: Effective philosophical inquiry requires critical thinking and questioning, challenging assumptions and seeking precise understanding of concepts. Historical Philosophers' Views: Figures like Socrates, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche stressed the need for careful reasoning, original thought, and commitment to ideas, often going against societal norms. Role of Skepticism: Philosophical skepticism involves doubting accepted beliefs to rebuild knowledge on firmer foundations, as seen in the works of Descartes and Hume. Practical Wisdom: Aristotle highlighted that goodness is not just knowledge but a habit of action, suggesting that virtues must be diligently practiced to be truly understood and embodied.

[@Fireneedsair]

Doubt for most leads to fear and anxiety, especially of coveted beliefs. For me, doubt leads to freedom and exploration. Keep your identity small and narrow, not tied into group thinking, be it political or religious. This is the path to wisdom

[@MrComradeChris]

Your channel got me into philosophy. I think a gold solution to the problem of evil can be resolved with polytheism, particularly in Homer’s Odyssey: Sometimes the gods can be a**holes.

[@daanschone1548]

I think this perhaps was an awesome speech. To be specific: by awesome I mean I hope it will inspire many people to be less certain and more peacefull as a welcome side effect. Maybe.

[@DEBO5]

Wittgenstein is next level he deserves more recognition but I suspect most people can’t understand him

[@lemurlaemu]

thanx :)

[@PavanKumar-nx2bm]

The way you speak is truly mesmerizing. How can one acquire speaking skills like this?

[@MinosML]

I'm also interested in this. He certainly has a way with words and themes.

[@sauveerdixit7145]

He's speaking off of a script.

[@alextsiamtsikas7936]

Love these topics keep up the great work, can you make a video on some political philosophy, like karl Marx?

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thanks! And I could in theory but I don't know that much about political philosophy so it would be a while before I would feel confident enough to script a video about it

[@alextsiamtsikas7936]

@@unsolicitedadvice9198 i saw your video on Plato's republic and thought that you could do more videos in political philosophy like these. I recommend studying Jean-Jacques Rousseau: The Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, Thomas Hobbes: leviathan and from Friedrich Engels:The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State.

[@hovnds5736]

When you talked about suffering being illogical and entertained the thought that God may have a bigger plan I thought of Gnosis. Could you do a video on Gnosticism? Otherwise, Im a fan of your style of enlightenment, very easy to follow regardless of where you are in the philosophical journey. Keep searching and spreading!

[@azuralimes]

Dang. I wish I had this video before I got into philosophy... I could have prevented many existential crises haha.

[@bryanutility9609]

I’d like you to address the idea of preception enhancement & empirical grounding.

[@cheeseburgerinparadise7124]

I love the example with God and here’s my take. There’s no inconsistency with evil and all loving all knowing God. It seems like people want to people protected and everything to be ideal, but then there would be no growth there would be no challenge. I believe God exists that he said things in motion, but he’s sitting back crossing his fingers, hoping that we’re gonna figure it out. He believes in us, but he’s not gonna protect us too much because we are not children.

[@cfroi08]

The social cohesion of a nation can be measured by one question, "why"

[@arthurwieczorek4894]

"Many people would rather die than think." That's because we are so wedded to our worldviews. We can only see the world through our worldviews. Part of our worldview is how we think. So worldview is content and process. Another demention of this is cognitive flexibility, where some people can be too rigid, others not rigid enough. 'Die rather than think', they have bet the farm on their worldview. Some think and still die. Life can be complicated.

[@wenq1481]

Joe any chance of doing more video relating to mathematical logics, or the philosophical works of someone like Willard van Orman Quine, I would love to hear you opinion of these topics.

[@IntelR]

"Ahhh the doubting, the doubting" - Dutch Van der Linde

[@efhi]

I solicit Unsolicited advice

[@UnfortunatelyUnkown]

Can you dress up as Dostoyevsky and oil up next video plzzz🙏🙏🙏

[@MinosML]

What the actual F LMAOOOOOO

[@user-yv9xx1ju5f]

Sir can i ask what you read to build your vocabulary and way of thinking and interpreting and how to get most out of what we read

[@JackPullen-Paradox]

I was "taught" to express my thoughts forcefully, as though there could be no doubt. Do you suggest that we allow the possibility of doubt into nearly all of our expositions and pronouncements?

[@arthurwieczorek4894]

My intellectual lighthouse, Lee's Elucidation: A finite number of words must be made to represent an infinite number of things and possibilities. Language Habits in Human Affairs, Irving J. Lee, 1941.

[@lug358]

In psychology, the rigidness of a believe without any changes despite any evidence against it, is called delussion.

[@ikshita2400]

Can you please provide notes for you exquisite theories? because I want to remember all that has been said and it helps to understand better when you have something to look at like notes

[@Muhammadmazin-de8oo]

your life is gonna change if think everything like philosophical level💯

[@halalmon]

Does this makes you denounce islam?

[@TheRealXMob]

Christianity was born from Judaism. Monarchs own your education system.

[@TheRealXMob]

Lmao. How’s it feel to know nothing ? @KZbin

[@Muhammadmazin-de8oo]

@@halalmon no

[@user-ys9to2ie7k]

My brother, daughter and other brother and seems everyone that I know always tell me I don't think like everyone else and I base this on the first principal-the practice of questioning everything you THINK you KNOW ¿`_

[@ks33390]

Sir can u please give ur review on advaita vedanta philosophy, sankhya philosophy, charwakha philosophy. It would be a pleasure to hear about them thru u. 😊

[@tomswarbrick7452]

please could you produce a video on Kant?

[@Herewithpopcorn]

This makes me wonder what were some of their stupid or bad ideas or thoughts they clung to for too long

[@MatthewBrender-lr3jk]

Stupid is unlikely to last long, and bad depends on who you ask.

[@copykatninja]

Through the comments, as in life, I have found philosophers to be the best comedians 😂

[@Vitocorleone09]

Specificity... Questioning.... Doubt...

[@juliadavies6653]

9:28 by this notion, I think becoming a philosopher would be a moral impediment. By devoting yourself to reason, you lose the only valuable (which is to say, can be valued) thing in existence, a happy life.

[@juliadavies6653]

is absurdism not a kind of philosophical death? To see past reason itself?

[@jasonsomers8224]

22:30 a society needs doubt, but it also needs faith. If nothing can be believed, if every truth is subjevyive, then no belief could be changed because it is dependent on the believer and not on reasoning.

[@MinosML]

Faith isn't the opposite of doubt. You can believe something without having faith in it. Evidence is all it takes.

[@jordanmatthew6315]

@ 17:23 the sacred text 🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿

[@Thelobster269]

I have a saying- " i believe in God so much i doubt him"

[@benwrong6855]

you should try some magic mushrooms!

[@Dumah36]

If you think you are correct, think again.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

A good general rule

[@MichaelPiz]

There is no difference between not being able to think and refusing to.

[@djquinn11]

“The average person has the consciousness of a harassed mouse.” (Can’t remember where I heard this)

[@richardaaron4454]

Anyone can be a philosopher but not everyone can philosophize.

[@wilhelmvonn9619]

Philosophers have been thinking about various important questions for many centuries. Have any generally accepted answers been arrived at? Or are they still arguing?

[@alena-qu9vj]

I think that philosophers serve as kind of funny pets for the ones with real power. It must be amusing to watch all the "deep" thoughts and then go and do it their way by force.

[@jackdarby2168]

How to be a good at cooking? Hang around a cook and imitate him and let him teach you the craft How to be good at philosophising? Hang around a philosopher and let him teach you the craft A bad cook will not be able to remain a cook but bad philosopher will be able to still be known as a philosopher unless a real philosopher calls him out. So the question must be asked what are the traits of s good philosopher

[@KojisDebates]

How much do you teach philosophy for? I’m new and I want a genius to teach me.

[@IisLasagna]

Step-by-step guide to be a modern philosopher!! Step 1: accept that you are gonna end up as a Starbucks barista Step 2: hell no I'm too scared

[@mythicvortex2456]

Tbh, I have reached a level of critical thinking that witness the contradictions of mortality and human nature (in a more abstract detail). There was a time, i wished that I can get rid of this knowledge. I understand why people chose to remain ignorant in their echo chamber. I guess this is what it feels like to attain curse of knowledge.

[@AB-xi9im]

sir this is a wendys

[@dusabefabrice3104]

how can you drop masterpiece after masterpiece

[@doctorstrange5462]

Philosophy important for physics in modern day or not physics as used a maths

[@brokenrecord3523]

Philosophy, "A waste of time or one of life's greatest pleasures". "or" ?

[@JackPullen-Paradox]

The Mathematical "Or."

[@umutunal3754]

what if you live in an environment where even though you achieve cognitive functionality as you explain it but because of the incompetence and arrogance you get exposed to makes it harder to navigate through social interactions and life it self

[@Philusteen]

I consider my own personal philosophy to be Existurdist - be real about your shit. 🖖

[@HangrySaturn]

The greatest of philosophies, "Existurdism"

[@Philusteen]

@@HangrySaturn thank you, I'll publish my magnum opus after just one more coffee - unless I kill myself. 😆

[@user-ys9to2ie7k]

I questioned the idea of pleasure. Is it that we are pre-programmed and that we would find enjoyment and satisfaction that would induce us to eat, because I contend, the insatiable need for sex is two-fold; first, to ensure an endless supply of unwitting participants and secondly, without we wouldn't do it. This goes along with the taste of food and hunger ping's as to remind us to eat. The last thing I thought about when I was a little kid was eating. I live every day with the 3-3-3 rule-when I'm thirsty I questioned how much have I had to drink recently and what have I done to deplete my water supply. That goes along with eating because to lose weight it has very little to do with exercise, a good example of this is, you would never find an obese person in a concentration camp and it's not due to a vigorous exercise program. I'm writing all of this because you should see my ideas on gravity and multi-universe hypothesis which is hogwash because universal means all and everything. I could go on and on and on but there's just no one to talk to that is on my level of thinking. Because as we come to realize, the older you get the more of a philosopher you become ¿`_

[@ahmetdogan5685]

You tell with a force of a hammer.

[@user-iw3qc1dg6c]

How are you so eloquent?