The Philosophers’ Cocoon - Amazing Journey of Self-Discovery (2024)

Philosophy is often seen as an abstract and esoteric subject, reserved for the intellectual elite. But, philosophy is about asking questions and seeking answers about the world and our place in it. It is a journey of self-discovery. The blog, Philosophers’ Cocoon is dedicated to individuals who embrace the journey.

Contents

What is the Philosophers’ Cocoon?

The Philosophers’ Cocoon is a philosophy blog created by Marcus Arvan, a philosophy professor at the University of Tampa. The blog aims to provide a platform for early-career philosophers to share their thoughts, experiences, and advice on navigating the academic job market and pursuing a career in philosophy.

The Job Market for Philosophers

The job market for philosophers is notoriously competitive, with a limited number of tenure-track positions available each year. This can make it challenging for early-career philosophers to secure a stable job in academia. The Philosophers Cocoon blog aims to provide support and guidance for those navigating this difficult job market.

The blog features a series of posts called Job-Market Boot Camp, which offers practical advice on how to improve one’s chances of landing a job in academia. These posts cover topics such as CV and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and networking strategies.

A Community of Philosophers

The Philosophers Cocoon blog also serves as a community for philosophers to connect and engage with one another. The comment section of each post allows for lively discussions and debates on various philosophical topics. This sense of community can be especially valuable for early-career philosophers who may feel isolated in their academic pursuits.

Why is Philosophy Important?

Philosophy is often seen as a niche subject, but its relevance and importance cannot be understated. Here is why philosophy matters:

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

Studying philosophy requires one to think critically and analytically. It teaches individuals to question assumptions, evaluate arguments, and consider alternative perspectives. These skills are not only valuable in academia but also in everyday life and various career paths.

Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

Philosophy is a journey of self-discovery. It encourages individuals to reflect on their beliefs, values, and purpose in life. By engaging with philosophical ideas and debates, one can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Ethics and Morality

Philosophy plays a crucial role in shaping our ethical and moral beliefs. It challenges us to think about what is right and wrong, and how we should live our lives. By engaging with ethical theories and debates, we can develop a more nuanced understanding of morality and make more informed decisions.

Embracing the Journey of Self-Discovery

The Philosophers’ Cocoon blog encourages individuals to embrace the journey of self-discovery that comes with studying philosophy. Here is how:

Read Widely and Engage with Different Perspectives

Philosophy covers a wide range of topics, from metaphysics and epistemology to ethics and political philosophy. By reading a variety of philosophical texts and engaging with different perspectives, one can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject and themselves.

Participate in Discussions and Debates

Philosophy is not a solitary pursuit; it is meant to be discussed and debated. The Philosophers’ Cocoon blog provides a platform for individuals to engage in philosophical discussions and debates. Additionally, many universities and communities have philosophy clubs or discussion groups that one can join.

Apply Philosophical Thinking to Everyday Life

Philosophy is not just an academic subject; it can also be applied to everyday life. By using philosophical thinking to reflect on our beliefs and actions, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

The Impact of the Philosophers Cocoon

The Philosophers’ Cocoon blog has had a significant impact on the philosophy community. It has provided valuable resources and support for early-career philosophers and has fostered a sense of community among its readers. Here are a few testimonials from readers:

  • “The Philosophers’ Cocoon has been an invaluable resource for me as I navigate the academic job market. The Job-Market Boot Camp series has given me practical advice and tips that I have implemented in my own job search.” – Sarah, graduate student
  • “The community on the Philosophers’ Cocoon blog has been incredibly supportive and engaging. I have learned so much from the discussions and debates in the comment section.” – John, early-career philosopher
  • “The Philosophers’ Cocoon blog has inspired me to continue pursuing philosophy, even in the face of a competitive job market. It has reminded me of the importance and relevance of philosophy in our world.” – Emily, undergraduate student

Join the Philosophers Cocoon Community

Whether you are a seasoned philosopher or just starting your journey, the Philosophers’ Cocoon blog welcomes you to join its community. Engage in discussions, read insightful posts, and embrace the journey of self-discovery that comes with studying philosophy. Together, we can continue to spread Philosophy and its most important branches.

Why not Join Us

If you enjoyed this article, we would like to offer you two gifts – ourStarter Pack of 4 James King’s booksand ourWeekly Digest,which you can receive by email.

The Philosophers’ Cocoon - Amazing Journey of Self-Discovery (2024)

FAQs

What do philosophers say about the self? ›

René Descartes asserted the self is a thinking entity distinct from the body. David Hume viewed the self as a bundle of perceptions rather than a unified being. Maurice Merleau-Ponty regarded the self as embodied subjectivity, rejecting the view of the self as a disembodied mind or mere physical machine.

What does David Hume say about self? ›

To Hume, the self is “that to which our several impressions and ideas are supposed to have a reference… If any impression gives rise to the idea of self, that impression must continue invariably the same through the whole course of our lives, since self is supposed to exist after that manner.

What is David Hume's philosophy? ›

An opponent of philosophical rationalists, Hume held that passions rather than reason govern human behaviour, famously proclaiming that "Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions." Hume was also a sentimentalist who held that ethics are based on emotion or sentiment rather than abstract moral principle.

What was Immanuel Kant's philosophy? ›

Kant believed that reason is the source of morality, and that aesthetics arises from a faculty of disinterested judgment. Kant's religious views were deeply connected to his moral theory. Their exact nature remains in dispute.

What did Socrates say about self? ›

According to Socrates , self is the inner essence or soul of a person that is distinct from the physical body . He believed that the true self is immortal and eternal , and it is the source of wisdom and knowledge .

What does Plato believe about self? ›

Plato's definition of self is that our soul is the only thing that is unchanging and eternal. The body is either a shell or a prison to house our soul. Our soul is divine and composed of virtues — love, courage, wisdom, and many others.

What is John Locke's philosophy? ›

In politics, Locke is best known as a proponent of limited government. He uses a theory of natural rights to argue that governments have obligations to their citizens, have only limited powers over their citizens, and can ultimately be overthrown by citizens under certain circ*mstances.

What is the famous line of David Hume? ›

The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.

What did Gilbert Ryle say about self? ›

Arguing that the mind does not exist and therefore can't be the seat of self, Ryle believed that self comes from behavior. We're all just a bundle of behaviors caused by the physical workings of the body.

What was Nietzsche's philosophy? ›

His philosophy is mainly referred to as “existentialism”, a famous twentieth century philosophy focusing on man's existential situation. In his works, Nietzsche questioned the basis of good and evil. He believed that heaven was an unreal place or “the world of ideas”.

What is Bentham's theory? ›

Jeremy Bentham was a philosopher, economist, jurist, and legal reformer and the founder of modern utilitarianism, an ethical theory holding that actions are morally right if they tend to promote happiness or pleasure (and morally wrong if they tend to promote unhappiness or pain) among all those affected by them.

What is the philosophy of Aristotle? ›

Aristotle sees philosophy as an extension of science, which means that he is attempting to understand the whole—the universe, humanity, and culture. He tries to find the basic principles that reveal the underlying pattern in all of the changing and conflicting aspects of our world.

How does John Locke define self? ›

John Locke holds that personal identity is a matter of psychological continuity. He considered personal identity (or the self) to be founded on consciousness (viz. memory), and not on the substance of either the soul or the body.

How do you define yourself in philosophy? ›

The philosophy of self is the study of the many conditions of identity that make one subject of experience distinct from other experiences. The self is sometimes understood as a unified being essentially connected to consciousness, awareness, and agency.

What is the philosophy of being yourself? ›

The common understanding of “be yourself” is that you should follow your desires and dreams. “Be true to yourself” means that you should live according to your apparent personality and preferences.

What is the self according to Kant? ›

According to him, we all have an inner and an outer self which together form our consciousness. The inner self is comprised of our psychological state and our rational intellect. The outer self includes our sense and the physical world.

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