Life Saving Philosophy

How mental vigor and newfound clarity can change how we view the world and our place in it.

Marietta McCarty is the author of Little Big Minds: Sharing Philosophy With Kids and How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas That Matter Most. See full bio

November 15, 2009, Philosophy

Philosophy: The Art of Clear Thinking

What are the ingredients of the good life?

How can a fresh look at important ideas benefit us? Imagine what rich conversation and quiet reflection can bring to our lives. Philosophy is a wake-up call to a reinvigorated mental life. Clarity about the essence of happiness or communication or possibility... how much UN-learning is required to regain a vital mental and emotional outlook?

Let's open our dialogue by asking: What are the ingredients of the good life? Have we forgotten not only to answer this question and allow our answers to guide us, but also neglected to ask this question at all? It is urgent that individuals and society at large think hard once again about what really matters. Better perspective on the ingredients necessary to cook a good life calls for rearranging our priorities. Are toys us? What about simplicity? Creativity? Serenity? Time to play?

For me, taking the time to make a fresh start in thinking about good living refreshes and redirects my daily life. Today when I think about the question, I would toss together these essentials: awareness and appreciation of life's abundant simple pleasures, the ability to engage in heartfelt and meaningful communication, and experiencing a keen sense of gratitude for life's gifts while knowing that this gratitude paves the way for natural empathy.

Keeping these priorities in mind, there is much that I can put in my "Unnecessary File" - worry over things that are not in my control, overreacting to things that do not matter, forgetting to remember the beauty of the world. And the list goes on!