What is the practical parts of striving towards knowledge and philosophy? Should it be used as an aid to improve our lives, or to discover knowledge beyond ourselves — knowledge which not benefit ourselves, but maybe future generations of humanity?
Knowledge is to know
I know for myself, the practical elements of living my life is learning what my personal beliefs are, and my own personal preferences are.
Gaining more self knowledge through introspection, self experimentation, and through personal and direct experience — this has empowered me to become more brave, more certain of myself, and actually more carefree and playful/open! I’ve become more free — less enslaved by the values of others, and more solid in my own personal values.
For example, I’ve learned that frugality is freedom, self employment and entrepreneurship is the best way to live, a nomadic life is a superior life, and my telos (directive) in life is to create art (art in writing, photos, videos, images, sounds, etc).
So it seems the first step in philosophy is self-knowledge, to strive to know yourself and your own true preferences more clearly.
Knowledge seeking as fun
For myself when I gain new knowledge, the feeling is phenomenal. As if my mind is being filled with light. The world seems to become more sensible and makes sense. Perhaps knowledge seeking is fun because it gives you a feeling of augmented power and certainty in yourself. The world seems less scary, mysterious, and uncertain. You feel a certain domination over reality and the world, and have a feeling of superiority.
Thus perhaps as knowledge seekers, we are trying to gain some sort of ascendency or superiority over nature and reality. The will to knowledge as the will to self-empowerment.
What kind of knowledge excites or interests you?
For myself, I love learning about entrepreneurship, culture, society, history, customs, art, photography, technology, and philosophy. Much of the knowledge I’ve discovered came from books, direct experiences, or through random thoughts which enter my mind while walking, in the sauna, or when working out. Any field of knowledge is good if it interests you!
Just follow your personal curiosity
Never stop learning about what interests you. It seems beneficial to read much, write much, and speak much. Perhaps a good strategy is to read a lot, blog a lot, and make lots of YouTube videos of you talking about your ideas.
Don’t pursue knowledge because it is “virtuous”. No— only seek knowledge because it is fun! :)
NEVER STOP SEARCHING! ERIC