The ideal philosopher

I read in the letters of Pliny his respect for the philosopher Euphrates and he describes him in the following manner: “He reasons with much force, acuteness, and elegance; and frequently rises into all the sublime and luxuriant eloquence of Plato. His style is varied and flowing, and at the same time so wonderfully captivating that he forces the reluctant attention of the most unwilling hearer. For the rest, a fine stature, comely aspect, long hair, and a large silver beard; circumstances which, through they may probably be thought trifling and accidental,  contribute however to gain him much reverence. There is no negligence in his dress and appearance; his countenance is grave but not austere; and his approach commands respect without creating awe. Distinguished as he is by the perfect blamelessness of his life, he is no less so by the courtesy and engaging sweetness of his manner. He attacks vices, not persons, and, without severity, reclaims the wanderer from the path of virtue. You follow his exhortations with rapt attention, hanging, as it were, upon his lips; and even after the heart is convinced, the ear still wishes to listen to the harmonious reasoner”  Off course Pliny himself was an eloquent writer but this description does contain much of how I would see the ideal of a philosopher.

Contradictory to many philosopher’s in a modern day that is simply out to show prowess in their thinking the true philosopher for me must still stand on the grounds of distinguishing himself in the expression of virtue. If anything I have received from the moral letters of Seneca then it is to be impressed upon myself that virtue is not jus something to talk about nor even to marvel about but something that must be put into action by word and deed. When I put this measure of excellence up against my own life I have failed in many ways to give expression to a sublime testimony of a true philosopher. Since I have started to craft my own life philosophy this  ideal picture of the true philosopher has become ever more important. Itself has become the philosopher’s stone that motivated me to at least apply effort in my own life to lift my life one step closer to the ideal. Pliny’s description sounds almost like a typical evaluation at a toastmaster’s meaning. There are certainly many styles of philosophers but the one that can reason and give expression to philosophy through distinguished speech with all the right components are closer to my ideal of a philosopher.

A philosopher can not just retain ideas about knowledge, truth and the meaning of life but actually needs to live it as an example that entice people to yearn for a more noble expression of themselves.  There is no pretence of importance in a true philosopher but simply an easy reasoned approach that can be easily understood and that is convincing and impactful to those who hears his words. It is by no means an easy feat to be such a philosopher but it is certainly for me worth trying to emulate the ideal even if I do fail to live up to the standard I set for myself. There is hope in the continuous striving to become a better man who embraces a philosophy that yearns for excellence in human nature. The journey of a philosopher must begin with drawing closer to virtue and an abhorrence of vice.

So the philosopher is a man well looked after, neither espousing lack nor excess. There is no ego that raises him above others nor lower himself below others. He is not acting as superior but also not as inferior. He inspires those who raise him up to raise themselves up and he is a warning to those who see themselves as superior that  their superiority is their own illusion. His life is an expression of virtue in act and word. He might possess much knowledge on other matters but they are all born from a fulcrum of understanding what depicts the best of human nature.

As I read this my heart lament the loss of virtue in modern day society. Where will I go in today’s world to see that true philosopher that lives up to the ideal set by the stoic philosophers. Maybe the Zeal4Living project should not be about esotericism but truly to reignite the flame of virtue in humanity. Virtue is universal, it does not discriminate against race, sex or religion but serves the broader humanity. How do we express virtue in the workplace? In politics and in our homes? These are the questions that will resolve many of the problems we face as humans. When compassion replaces greed, when egoism is replaced by a universal wisdom or when self interest is replaced by industriousness would we not dramatically change the world? Should virtue and vice not be the top priority to teach at schools? These are the questions that ramble through my brain as I confronted myself with the question of what a philosopher truly is. For I believe that when we have an answer for that question then we also have an answer that can make a difference to the world we live in.