Philosophy and Mathematics

Posted on September 12, 2004 8:38 AM EST

"That is just too idealistic", "Enough of the philosophy", "Easy to say in theory, can't implement in practice". We have all said something like this at one time or another. Often, this is our reaction when we are faced with problems, crises, dilemmas, hurt, failure or some such uncomfortable life situation, and some wise guy opens his mouth to give a philosophical explanation or an idealistic solution.

Perhaps, that is not the right time for philosophy or ideals. It would be analogous to being adrift in a boat on the ocean, with no navigational aids and someone giving us a mouthful of some advanced theorem in analytical geometry. At that time, we can't listen to the theory, the philosophy, the ideals. Our energy and attention is too focussed on the issue of survival and protecting ourselves from more danger/discomfort. So, we turn away from the philosophy and the philosopher. We might even resent them. And this resentment might be carried over to our later life, when the crisis has passed. If we are wiser, on reaching safer shores, we recall the theory/philosophy, understand it and learn how to use it, so that next time we are faced with a similar situation, we are better equipped. That is called learning from experience.

We learn more easily and readily the theories that help us solve physical problems. What's more, these theories can be engineered into packaged solutions that are easily usable without the user having to understand the underlying theory. For example, if we are adrift on the ocean, and someone were to give us a handheld GPS system, our navigational problems are solved. We don't have to understand all the scientific and technological mumbo-jumbo that went into creating that GPS system. All we need to know is to use it. That easy.

But it is not so easy when it comes to the subtler realms of mind, emotions and spirituality. There is almost never an engineered, package solution in this realm. We have to do the hard work of understanding the philosophy, the wisdom and making it our own. We have to learn ways to apply it to our life and our world to help us reach the shores of happiness and peace which we desire and deserve. It takes discipline, courage, honesty and other evolved faculties as well as evolved attitudes to acquire wisdom from books or lectures or even hindsight after the difficult circumstance has passed. It takes even more courage and evolved faculties to learn and earn this wisdom while being in the middle of the crisis.

It is for this reason, a philosopher should be respected. I am no philosopher, but I don't think true blue philosophers thought up their philosophies while being comfortably - symbolically or physically - fed, drunk and loved. Wisdom is earned from some compulsion or drive, from discomfort or pain, by going through trying circumstances. Wisdom is earned by opening the eyes and ears and mind and heart and soul, by incorporating a certain resilience and acceptance into our spirits and being - during and/or after the pain and the crisis. Philosophers deserve respect for going through those difficulties and coming out with open eyes and hearts and resilient spirits.

But the more important thing to remember is not respecting philosophers or their philosophies. The more important thing is to accept that philosophy is not just some theory or idea which is too idealistic or too out there or too mumbo jumbo. The most important thing is to realize that just as theorems in advanced mathematics help give us commonplace comforts like our cooking range, our houses, our cars, our computers - countless other tangible things of practical use, philosophical ideas and ideals do have practical uses in our life, to help us achieve the love, happiness and peace we seek. Ideals and philosophy certainly demand more work and discipline and courage from us, but that is the price to pay when the prize is all that we desire and deserve.