How Ya Livin?

Rethinking Philosophy as a Way of Life?

In his famous track, “Big Poppa,” The Notorious B.I.G. is asked the following question:

“How you livin', Biggie Smalls?”

To which he responds in his characteristic smooth flow:

“In mansion and Benzes
Givin' ends to my friends, and it feels stupendous”

The Notorious B.I.G.

Well, I can guarantee that philosophy is unlikely to provide mansions and Benzes! But, “philosophically” should be thought of as a pretty good answer to the question:

HOW YOU LIVIN?

Simply put, philosophy is best understood as a way of life.

It is a lived practice, an approach to what matters, and a general orientation by which the rest of one’s beliefs and actions are understood.

Sadly, though, philosophy is far more often viewed as simply a professional academic discipline that is “useless” to the “real world.”

“Here’s your philosophy degree. Enjoy being a barista!”
Ugh.