Hidden Philosophers

The term philosopher has changed meaning since its original meaning in the time of the ancients. Today many philosophers exist in fields; because of a persons career beginning to describe who they are, (especially in the United States) people have begun to be somewhat typecast. People in particular careers are assumed to have similar personalities and live a certain way. People have begun to conform but philosophers always standout no matter what field they made be focused in.

         The first hidden philosopher is Mark Zuckerberg. At the tender age of 29 Mark is already one of the richest men in the world because of his revolutionary social media site Facebook. The funny thing is with all the money and fame are simply an added bonus for pursuing his dream, to connect people of the world. Zuckerberg wants everyone in the world to use the internet to stay connected or to find new friends in other areas. What does a person who thinks that people should be able to communicate worldwide in order to familiarize him or herself, sound like other than a philosopher? His understanding of relationships on a personal and global scale have helped him to bring together cultures and countries on a website.

         Next is a fellow member of the billionaire’s club Warren Buffett. Brilliant with numbers Warren Buffet is the first person to explain that he fully understands his fortune not only on the family he was born into, time era, and race; but also understands that his gift earns him money and so he can use it for good. Warren has even been documented giving money to Bill Gates because he says that Gates knows how to be a better philanthropist. Living in the same house and driving a car only new enough to be dependable, Buffett’s most luxurious item is his private plane but even that has reason behind it. Since time is precious Buffett has a plane to make best use of his time. Hearing Warren Buffett speak on his views on society and global fairness match those of Socrates, speaking only of things he feels he understands and putting in the dedication to purse his passion. Warren Buffett is a good example of a philosopher because of his understanding of self, society and universal structure that he uses to excel in his chosen field.

         Next is one a great example of the good that TV can bring. Hidden in most well respected television shows is a voice of reason and rationality who often resembles a philosopher. Boy Meets World had one of the most famous men to ever play that role Mr. Feeny a caring yet stern teacher who always seemed to be the teacher of the shows main characters. Feeny on the show embodied what it meant to be a virtuous person who worked hard to help his growing students understand not only how to do well in school but how to do well in life. In one episode he actually says, “Believe in yourselves, dream, try, do good”. After saying this Topanga the class braniac says” don’t you mean do well”? To which Feeny replies “no I mean  do good” This is one of the most philosophical moments on the show in which Feeny a strict teacher who hammered in the importance of good grammar and sentence structure says do good instead of well because he is giving them moral advice on the keys to living a happy and just life. Growing up on this showed I was amazed at the thought and work that went into every episode and series to create a show that influenced many young people of a generation. I guess you would say that the writer should be the one seen as the philosopher but I think it is a combination of actors, writing and timing that brought this hidden philosophical work to life.

         Last is the least hidden of these philosophers but a personal favorite of mine. Bruce Lee known for his skills in martial arts and as a movie star was a lover of wisdom before all. While studying philosophy Lee worked to perfect his body in accompaniment with his mind. One of his most well a known line is “as you think, so shall you become” this sounds like its straight from the Socratic era with its focus on visualization being key in pursing knowledge and becoming. His most famous and interesting line is “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend”. This seems to be both a moral and metaphysical in nature describing the ideal way to live.

         There are plenty of people I have not named but these are a few of the people I consider to be philosophers by another name who are in pursuit of the overall good. S. E. Hinton the writer of The Outsiders, the famous artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Pharrell would also be people who ,although they may not proclaim it, have shown themselves to be thinkers a philosophers with goals of goodness through what their selected passions.