Mortimer Adler, was correct when he made the statement “philosophy is everyone’s business” because philosophy really is something everyone engages in whether they realize it or not. Have you ever shared your opinion and ideas with someone? Did you present and defend the reasons for those ideas? If so, you have engaged in philosophical reflection. Even without special training, it seems we all have something to say about the proper role of the government in our lives, justice and fairness in our economic system, and whether or not a certain activity or behavior is morally correct.

For example, we might read on a news site of a man in a coma or permanent vegetative state whose family doctor ordered him to be euthanized. We read further that some family members support this decision while others do not. Then, in the comments and posts that inevitably come, controversy rages about whether or not the physician’s action was morally right or wrong. Even if we do not engage in the discussion, we nonetheless form ideas and opinions of our own on the question.

If we look carefully, we begin to notice that those who agree or disagree with the doctor’s action give reasons for their position. When challenged, they give further considerations for the reasons which they think validates their position. Sometimes, we will even see thoughtful people clarify or modify their position when opponents point out inconsistencies or errors of exaggeration which is also an important part of philosophical reflection. Much of philosophy is simply sharpening one’s position through careful and thoughtful dialogue. When people collect themselves around their basic reasons for their position and appeal to their evidence for it, they have begun the process of philosophy. In this case, we see the development of a moral philosophy. Moral philosophy is simply discovering and stating the reasons why an action is right or wrong.

Of course, we know of other controversies. Every day we hear of issues surrounding how we should best educate our children, or what constitutes good or bad art, or what makes a law just? When we engage in these issues, we are immediately developing a philosophy of education, a philosophy of art, or philosophy of law. When it really comes down to it, we all have a philosophy of something. The question arises, however, whether or not our given theory or philosophy is a good one or worthy to be accepted as true. As rational and thoughtful individuals we should always reflect and think about the reasons why we hold something to be true, an idea which Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle believed was the beginning of wisdom (according to classical philosophy, wisdom is the highest human good). Nonetheless, as we question whether or not our philosophical position on something is good or true, we immediately discover the value of logic and the rules for valid thinking which is a topic I will discuss soon in a following post. For now, it is important to understand that just as everyone engages in philosophy, everyone engages in logical reasoning whether or not it is done well. Philosophy is indeed everyone’s business.