You may not even know it, but you have been practicing philosophy all of your life.
Each time that you stop to consider a choice, query your sense of purpose, or seek significance in experience, you are part of an enduring human conversation that has spanned centuries.
This conversation has not altered much. They asked these things of Socrates in Athens. They nagged at the Buddha in front of the Bodhi tree. They nagged at Marcus Aurelius in Rome as emperor. The only difference is that now these ideas crop up in unexpected quarters—pop psych books, psychotherapy offices, Facebook status messages, even memes.
This proves that philosophy is not only an academic subject—it’s a way of living. Anyone can partake in it—you don’t need to be a scholar to get it. If you have ever wondered at all about the nature of happiness, grappled with not knowing, or tried to find some sense of purpose, you are already in on it.
And the good news is that there is no answer to this conversation. Philosophical glory is that it is in continual movement, and you have to make your own contribution to it.
In this article, we'll witness how age-old wisdom still guides us in how we think, how we feel, how we make choices—oftentimes in an unconscious manner. Perhaps it helps us manage today's angst, guides us through moments of crisis, or simply makes us reflect more profoundly on how things work in the world around us.
So let’s get started. You're essentially a philosopher already. It’s now time to own it.
Part 1: Your Brain is a Time Traveler (And Philosophers Are Your Tour Guides)
The Ancient Operating System Running in Your Mind
Your brain is like a cutting-edge smartphone with antiquated operating software. Civilization has developed at breakneck speed in the past few thousand years but has not altered much in the basic structure of your brain from that of their ancestors from the Stone Age. As a result, much of the things that go through your mind these days have their roots in evolutionary mechanisms of survival.
For example:
Anxiety evolved to help early humans detect danger. While it once helped us avoid predators, today it often manifests as stress over work deadlines or social interactions.
The need for significance likely developed to unite humans in their societal structures and work together to attain common goals. Today, it powers existential crises.
Overthinking and rumination used to serve us in solving survival situations but now contribute to paralysis and self-doubt.
Ancient philosophers—without their advantage of having modern-day neuroscience—recognized these patterns and developed methods to manage them. They became the foundation for many modern psychotherapy methods and methods of self-improvement.
Two of the more influential traditions in these aspects are Stoicism and Buddhism—which, in every sense of the word, are the earliest cognitive therapies. They found that the biggest battle that stands before us is not with the world but within our own minds.
Stoicism and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Reprogramming Your Mind
Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy, teaches that we cannot control external events, only our responses to them. This idea became the backbone of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), one of the most widely used mental health treatments today.
The Stoic philosopher Epictetus once said:
“Men are not disturbed by things themselves but by their perspective of things.”
CBT operates on exactly the same idea: how we think affects how we feel and experience things. Learning to dispute negative thought processes allows us to escape from damaging thought patterns.
How CBT Works (And How Stoicism Paved the Way)
CBT helps people overcome anxiety, depression, and irrational phobias by recognizing cognitive distortions—ways of thinking that make us unnecessarily miserable. Stoicism and CBT have these things in common:
Stoicism | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
Focus on things within your power to control | Identify and challenge negative thought patterns |
Practice negative visualization (imagine worst-case scenario to make fear of it more bearable) | Exposure therapy (gradually confronting fears to neutralize them) |
Use reason in lieu of emotion | Recognize irrational beliefs and reframe them |
Accept impermanence | Detach from over-identification with negative feelings |
For example, someone suffering from social phobia might think:"If I embarrass myself at a party, people will think I'm a loser."
A Stoic or CBT perspective would challenge that thought:"Even if I make a fool of myself, people won't mind. And even if they mind, that won't define who I am."
This simple cognitive reorientation has the potential to largely ease fear and anxiety. Stoics knew that more than 2,000 years ago, and now psychology confirms that they were right.
Buddhism and Mindfulness: Ancient Neuroscience
Long before MRIs or texts on psychology, monks practiced a technique that scientists now recognize as one of the greatest approaches to mental well-being: mindfulness.
Mindfulness is living in the present in a non-judgmental manner. Instead of getting bogged down by feelings or thoughts, mindfulness teaches us to see these things but not identify with them.
Modern neuroscience validates this. As reported in a 2005 study by Harvard neuroscientist Sara Lazar, mindfulness meditation:
Shrinks the amygdala (the fear center of the brain), reducing stress and anxiety.
Thickens the prefrontal cortex, enhancing logical thought processes and concentration.
Strengthens the hippocampus, improving emotional regulation and memory.
This means that by practicing Buddhist-style mindfulness, we can literally rewire our brains to be more resilient.
How Mindfulness Helps Daily Life
When you feel overwhelmed, mindfulness helps you step away from stress and observe it from a distance.
When negative thought patterns take over, mindfulness makes you aware that these are just thoughts, not facts.
When experiencing difficult emotions, mindfulness allows you to welcome them without letting them control you.
For example, where normally you might think to yourself, “I am a failure,” a mindfulness approach would have you notice:"I am having the thought that I am a failure. That does not make it true."
This subtle yet powerful reorientation can release you from negative self-criticism.
Using All of This in Your Life
You don’t need to be a monk or a philosopher to make these ideas work for you. Here’s how to apply them now:
Stoicism:
Whenever you’re anxious, remind yourself to ask: “Is this within my control?”
If the answer is no, drop it. If the answer is yes, follow through.
Try negative visualization—imagine worst-case scenarios to counter worst-case fears.
Mindfulness:
Practice observing your own mind instead of getting caught up in it.
Try a daily 5-minute meditation—just concentrate on your breath and see your thoughts arise and subside.
When faced with stress, remind yourself: "This is only a moment. It shall pass."
By incorporating these age-old wisdom traditions into modern life, you can rewire your mind for peace, resilience, and wisdom.
And just like that, without even realizing it, you're picking up where people have been talking for thousands of years.
Part 2: When Things Fall Apart, Philosophy Pops Up
Philosophy as Lifeline in Crisis
Some of humanity’s greatest moments of revelation have not followed from moments of ease but from moments of woe. Philosophy is not necessarily a mind exercise—it’s a tool for living. As everything around us crumbles, we start to seek to answer the biggest of all questions:
Why is this happening to me?
What is the purpose of all of this?
How do I carry on if everything is so meaningless?
When we experience loss, sorrow, existential angst, or moments of utter confusion, philosophy has a way of sneaking in on us—unnoticed at times.
From Kierkegaard’s texts on fear to Viktor Frankl’s words on finding meaning in suffering, humanity’s greatest thinkers have grappled with exactly the same things that afflict us now. The only difference is that they have left us maps to navigate through these hard circumstances.
Kierkegaard and the "Dizziness of Freedom"
What Does This Mean?
The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) wrote that anxiety is not fear—it’s more than that. It’s that which he referred to as the “dizziness of freedom.”
Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff. Half of you fears falling off, but half of you realizes that if you wanted to jump off, you would be able to do so.
That feeling—the nervous sense that you have to make choices—is what Kierkegaard describes as existential anxiety.
Instead of finding fault in this nervousness, he thought that it is proof of how free we are. We aren't predetermined or predestined—we have the potential to create significance for ourselves.
How This Translates to Real Life
If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by too many choices, you’ve experienced Kierkegaard’s concept of anxiety.
If you’ve ever wondered if you’re on the right path, you have tasted the whirl of freedom.
Instead of fearing that dread, Kierkegaard advises us to greet it as assurance that we have control of our own lives.
How to Use This
Next time that monumental choices in life overwhelm you, remind yourself that:
Anxiety isn’t necessarily negative. It only means that you have choices.
Instead of loitering for that perfect answer, take a route and see it through.
There is no single "right" way to live—only that which is meaningful to you.
Viktor Frankl and Logotherapy: Unearthing Meaning in Suffering
Few people have lived through suffering as severe as that of Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist who lived through the Holocaust. He wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning about how concentration camp victims rarely survived as the physically strongest, but rather, those who had found a sense of purpose.
His Key Insight?
“When we cannot make things around us better, we have to make ourselves better.”
Frankl developed Logotherapy, a kind of psychotherapy founded on the belief that discovering significance is the greatest force in human existence.
The Three Modes of Searching for Meaning According to Frankl
Through work or by doing something worthwhile
Example: A writer who converts their agony to pen a novel that profits other individuals.
Through love and relationships
Example: A parent who gains strength from caring for their child in need.
Through suffering itself (in finding purpose in it)
Example: A person who converts their own misery to serve suffering individuals in similar circumstances.
How This Applies to You
When life has no sense to you, ask yourself what you can build, whom you can love, or how suffering could lead to transformation.
Even if you cannot change a situation, you have the power to change how you respond to it.
If you’re struggling, shift your focus outward—helping others often brings the deepest sense of purpose.
Putting It All in Your Life
Everyone will face loss, confusion, or crisis in their lifetime. The secret is how to manage it. Below are how-to methods to implement philosophy in situations that go wrong.
If You’re Having Trouble with Anxiety (Kierkegaard’s Lesson):
Recognize that fear is actually a symptom of freedom, not of failure.
Instead of fearing not knowing, welcome the power you have to mold your own life.
If You’re Feeling Lost or Directionless (Frankl’s Lesson):
Ask: What can I create? Who can I help? How can I grow from this?
Even in suffering, it is possible to seek meaning by converting it into something worthwhile.
If You’re Grieving (Buddhist Lesson):
Accept that everything is fleeting—including suffering.
Moving forward is not forgetting—it is moving love in a new way.
Philosophy won’t remove suffering, but it might lead you through it.
And when you start to ask the tough questions, remember that you aren't alone. Humans have struggled with these same things for thousands of years. Their wisdom stands in wait to guide you.
Part 3: Overthinking: The Snare of Thoughts (And Breaking Free from Them)
The Fine Line of Probing Thoughts vs. Self-Sabotage
Philosophy helps us to pose the greatest of all questions, but second-guessing is, in itself, dangerous. Unchecked, intense thought has the capacity to devolve into self-doubt, paralysis, and existential dread.
Have you ever felt stuck in your own mind, overanalyzing every possible decision?
Do you ever become so skeptical that everything makes you question itself?
Have you ever been so captivated by a thought-provoking query that you became completely bewildered?
This is the darker side of philosophy: over-intellectualizing to the point of paralysis.
Throughout history, several of the greatest intellectuals have cautioned us against falling prey to this trap—be it Nietzsche’s warning about staring into the abyss or Socrates’ fate of being executed for questioning everything.
The good news is that philosophy itself has the answer.
Nietzsche and The Void: The Dangers of Excessive Self-Contemplation
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote:
“When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you.”
What Does This Include?
When we overanalyze everything, we have the tendency to forget that we are human.
The deeper we go into existential questions—like What is the meaning of life? or Is anything real?—the more we risk falling into nihilism (the belief that nothing truly matters).
If we stare at so much darkness of suspicion and disbelief for too long, moving on may no longer be possible.
How to Use This in Your Daily Life
Don’t overanalyze every decision. Some choices don’t have a "right" answer—you just have to act.
Use philosophy to explain things, not complicate them. If questioning is causing more confusion than empowerment, take a step back.
Remember that not everything has to have an answer. Some things must simply be endured, not explained.
Socrates and the Price of Questioning: Infinite Queries' Paralysis
Socrates is famously associated with relentless questioning—the Socratic method. He believed questioning assumptions in life was how wisdom was reached.
But questioning everything has its cost. Socrates was executed for "corrupting" Athens' youth by leading them to question everything.
How to Use This in Your Daily Life
It’s good to ask, but not to get entangled in questioning loops.
Some questions have no final answer—you have to create your own.
Instead of waiting for the perfect answer, take action and learn from it.
How to Escape the Trap of Overthinking
Steps to Break Through Overanalysis
Step | Description |
1. Set a Time Limit for Deep Thinking | - Give yourself a deadline for making a decision.- Example: "I'll consider it for 10 minutes before coming to a conclusion."- Philosophy should clarify, not confuse. |
2. Take Action, Even Without a Perfect Solution | - Sometimes, action is the best way to gain clarity.- Learning happens through experience.- If unsure about life choices, try and adjust as needed. |
3. Accept That Certain Questions Do Not Have Answers | - Life contains mysteries, and that’s acceptable.- Not everything needs full explanation—some things must be endured.- Seek philosophies that enhance living, not idealize it. |
Use Philosophy as a Tool, Not a Trap
Deep thinking is powerful but shouldn’t lead to paralysis.
If overthinking, take action.
If overwhelmed by choices, choose a path and move forward.
If caught in existential despair, remember Camus: Rebel against absurdity by creating purpose.
Philosophy should guide living, not hinder it.
Part 4: Why Philosophy is Creeping Into Your Therapy Sessions
The Rise of Philosophical Counseling
Modern psychotherapy increasingly integrates philosophical principles to address existential concerns, life transitions, and meaning crises.
Shared Goals of Psychotherapy and Philosophy |
Make feelings and perceptions explicit. |
Provide mechanisms for coping with uncertainty. |
Help individuals make sense of experiences. |
How Philosophy Enhances Therapy
Existentialism: Emphasizes personal responsibility and significance.
Aristotle’s “Golden Mean”: Guides individuals toward balance.
Sartre’s "Bad Faith": The Consequences of Avoiding Responsibility
Definition:
"Bad faith" is when individuals deceive themselves to avoid uncomfortable truths.
People pretend they have no choices because making real choices is overwhelming.
Examples of Bad Faith in Daily Life:
Scenario | False Assumption | Reality |
Hating a job | "I have no other choices." | Options exist but are ignored. |
Staying in an unfulfilling relationship | "It’s too late to change." | It’s never too late to reassess. |
Avoiding a dream | "It’s unrealistic." | Many dreams are feasible with effort. |
How Therapists Apply This Principle
Help clients recognize their "bad faith."
Challenge restrictive assumptions.
Ask: "What would happen if you admitted you had a choice?"
Aristotle’s "Golden Mean": Finding Balance in Modern Life
Virtue | Excess | Deficiency |
Courage | Foolhardiness | Cowardice |
Self-confidence | Arrogance | Self-doubt |
Work ethic | Overwork | Laziness |
Applications in Therapy:
Situation | Application of the Golden Mean |
Overworking | Find balance between ambition and rest. |
Anxiety | Recognize feelings without being overwhelmed. |
Relationships | Balance dependence and independence with interdependence. |
Why This Matters: Shifting from Passive to Active Living
Shift in Thinking |
Stop waiting for meaning. |
Stop assuming you’re stuck. |
Start making choices and taking responsibility. |
Instead of thinking:
"Why am I unhappy?" → Ask: "What small steps lead to fulfillment?"
"I lack purpose." → Ask: "What actions connect me to life?"
Philosophy doesn’t provide all answers but equips you to create your own.
If Feeling Lost, Ask Yourself:
Am I in "bad faith"? Am I ignoring available choices?
Am I in an extreme? What would balance look like?
Am I waiting for meaning? Take action instead of waiting.
Philosophy offers tools—not fixed answers—to navigate life’s complexities.
Part 5: You’re Already a Philosopher (Seriously)
How Everyday Life Involves Philosophy
Daily Activity | Philosophical Practice |
Journaling | Stoic introspection |
Debating moral or political issues | Socratic dialogue |
Questioning life’s meaning | Kierkegaard & Camus' inquiries |
Feeling awe at nature | Emerson & Zen philosophy |
Journaling as Stoicism in Practice
Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations was a personal journal, not intended for publication, reflecting on ethics and self-improvement.
What Marcus Aurelius Wrote About:
Theme | Example |
Struggles | Pride, anger, anxiety |
Focus | Only on what can be controlled |
Preparation | Negative visualization for resilience |
How to Apply This to Your Life:
Write your greatest concerns.
Ask: Are they within my control?
If yes → Take action. If no → Let go.
Practice Stoic reflection daily.
By journaling, you’re not just expressing feelings—you’re practicing a centuries-old philosophical method of self-discipline and growth.
Debating Politics? Use the Socratic Method
If you’ve ever taken part in a thoughtful discussion of justice, morality, or politics, you have employed the Socratic method.
Socrates' Approach to Truth
Socrates, one of the greatest philosophers in human history, wrote not at all. He asked everything.His goal? To face assumptions and approach the truth.
How Socrates Would Approach a Modern Debate
Instead of presenting his own perspective, he would ask probing questions:
What do you believe constitutes fairness?
What makes a law just?
Who decides on ethics?
By making people explain their reasons for things, he exposed poor reasoning and forced people to consider more deeply.
The result? Wiser, more substantial conversations in place of shallow disagreements.
How You Can Use This
Instead of arguing, ask questions.
Encourage people to justify their opinions logically.
Challenge your own assumptions by asking yourself why you believe that or why you think that.
By doing so, you're applying philosophy in exactly the way that Socrates did.
Crying at Sunset? That’s Existential Awe
Have you ever looked at the night sky and found how small yet part of everything in it?That feeling—the combination of awe, insignificance, and utter thankfulness—is one that has been talked of by philosophers and religious writers for centuries.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (Transcendentalism)
Emerson believed that to understand us and the universe was to understand nature.
He wrote of awe-filled moments—standing before the sea, looking at the sky full of stars, deeply connected to earth.
He argued that not only is philosophy in books—it’s in living experience of things.
Buddhist Zen Masters
Zen philosophy asserts that the importance of life is in fleeting, in-the-present moments.
Something as mundane as drinking tea, walking in the rain, or simply looking at a falling leaf might have much importance to it.
How You Can Use This
Pay attention to small moments of beauty in daily living.
When you sense awe, pause and indulge in it—such is living philosophy in practice.
Take a walk in nature with no distraction—just simply be.
Interactive Exercise: Find Your Philosopher
If you’re facing a personal challenge, someone has already struggled with that query before you.
Match Your Struggle to an Ancient Wisdom Tradition
Your Struggle | Philosopher to Learn From | Key Takeaway |
Struggling with anxiety or uncertainty? | Marcus Aurelius (Stoicism) | Focus only on what you can control. |
Feeling lost at sea? | Viktor Frankl (Existentialism & Logotherapy) | Assemble your own meaning. |
Overwhelmed by so many choices? | Søren Kierkegaard (Existentialism) | Freedom is intimidating but gives you the power to shape your own life. |
Can’t stop overthinking? | Albert Camus (Absurdism) | Stop searching for “the answer” and start living. |
Feeling disconnected from life? | Zen Buddhism | Meaning in the present moment. |
How to Use This Exercise
Identify what is hard for you.
Read about the philosopher whose ideas apply.
Try incorporating their wisdom in your daily thought pattern.
Conclusion: The Ancient Awkward Beautiful Human Experiment
Philosophy isn’t necessarily having all of the answers.It’s about how to survive with the questions.
No one has all of it sorted out—not even philosophers.
Socrates admitted that wisdom actually lies in recognizing that you know nothing.
Kierkegaard struggled all of his life with doubt.
Camus didn’t assert that he knew life’s meaning—he simply decided to fight against meaninglessness by living to the maximum.
And guess what? You're on that journey as well.
The next occasion that you:
Question your intention
Feel lost in thought at 3 AM
Get into a conversation that is in-depth
Stare at the stars and see how tiny but living
…remember: You are a philosopher by now.
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