Allen Wu

What is Philosophy? This paper aims to prove that Philosophy is the loving search for truth and meaning.
First, I will show that in a world often dominated by complexities and illusions of what is life, real personal and
authentic truth may still be achieved. Second, I will show that in nothingness, there is meaningfulness. Lastly, I
will show that in the true sense of loving, man will be able to nurture and strengthen his idea of love hence will
have a full grasp of the meaning of his life.

First point. In Empty Talk, Michael Moga emphasized the importance of knowing what constitutes
authentic talk- that of real authentic human living, from empty talk- a world that often dominates human life.
According to Mr Moga, man often holds on to certain controlling truths, which in reality are false or empty talks.
Hence, in order to know break free of this pull and to lead authentic lives, a man must exert great effort by
submitting himself to continuous serious discipline in order to reach out for meaningful involvements,
involvements that give life and meaning.

Moreover, in the dialogue in Allegory of the Cave, where Socrates tried to discover and reflect the reality
that once we are able to encounter the ultimate truth of any concept, we experience freedom, one that is totally
new and different from our past. This is true when the inmates initially were negative about the new reality they
faced when they got out of the cave. However as their fears vanished, being able to adjust the new reality, they
were able to see a totally different world- one that is far different from the ones they saw in the cave. What Plato
tells is that man must live a life of his own truth based on his personal situations, not on what the society
dictates nor what the society tells by norms. That way man will be able to create his own life based on his own
truth and meaningful experiences.

Second point. Sophies World explained how Socrates became noteworthy of his idea of nothingness- the
famous I know that I do not know. In spite the emptiness of not knowing and meaninglessness of his life, he
chose to consciously face such void through constant questioning, and acted on it with a life of uneasy search for
truth and eventually achieved a full life.

Also, in Victor Frankls Mans search for meaning, it mainly talks about the importance of the inner self -
that inner hold, one that cannot be taken away from a man. For Frankl, inspite the tough conditions as lack of
sleep, insufficient food and various mental stresses the inmates were experiencing in the concentration camp,
man can decide what shall become of him, mentally and spiritually. And in deciding based on the situation he is
in, he must transcend the nothingness and rise above the situation, holding in him the right attitude, the right
mentality, in overcoming the situation in order to make his life meaningful and purposeful.

Last is Scott Pecks definition of love in relation to mans search for meaning. For him, there is neither love
in falling in love nor love in dependency to it. Instead, love requires activeness and transcendence- an intention,
a will, and an action by effort that can be experienced by true listening. True listening is important because when
on truly listens by stepping inside ones self to the others shoes, setting aside ones prejudices for the other, one is
able to extend and enlarge his self. This mainly strengthens the idea that love is the will to extend ones self for
the purpose of nurturing ones own or anothers spiritual growth, giving more meaning and truth to his life.

Now, what is Philosophy? Philosophy is mans search for a meaningful and authentic life. In order for man
to achieve this, he must personally exert great effort by continuously asking questions, engaging through true
listening, and submitting himself to continuous serious discipline in order to reach out for meaningful
involvements, involvements that give life and meaning. Also, man must decide to live a life of his own, based on
his own truth, his own circumstances, and his own freedom. And this inner hold- the decision to choose what he
must do, is something that can never be taken from him even in lifes toughest situations that would help
strengthen his own authentic life.

Indeed, philosophy is mans continuous search for meaningful and authentic life- a worth-trying one!