4 Tests For the Philosopher's Path of Truth

4 Tests For the Philosopher's Path of Truth

(Philosocom's Directory on Honesty and Truth)

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These are the four trials those drawn to the philosopher's path, each accompanied by a glimpse into its demands. Be warned, this path is not for the faint of heart, for it calls for a courage of mind that transcends the easy comforts of everything comfortable. For the truth and the quest for it cares not for your dependence on any comfort imaginable.

The Trial of Independence:

A philosopher's mind roams free, confined only to the compass of logic, which this world is built on. The philosopher must be mentally free from any shackles that hinders him or her to further explore the truth. For philosophers are relentless in their pursuit to attain the truth. They dare to resist even when the people around them sing in collective opposition to their efforts. They are unafraid to climb alone in their journey, while others slumber and depend their mentality on the validation of others.

He or she who prefers being accepted by others, rather than seek the truth, will fail this trial. For dependency, when goes against philosophical exploration, is a philosopher's liability. Imagine dwelling within a shielded dome, your community convinced the world beyond its safe space is unworthy of discussion. Such a community does not deserve too much attachment, when it will actively work against your efforts, within it, to understand reality. And indeed, one of the points of safe spaces is to shield one from the harsh reality beyond it.

To pass this trial is to chase clarity even at the cost of comfort and approval. Even, at the cost of being treated like dirt, and laughed at, for walking a different path. A relentless path. A path that can and will leave you alone from others, including those who are dear to you.

In the absence of affection, and and even skin deprivation, you are now faced with the second trial.

The Trial of Seclusion:

A philosopher navigates the wilderness of thought, often a solitary quest through the vast deserts of reason. While others enjoy in the warmth and affection of company, the philosopher's resolve is put to the test when his solitary contemplations grow on him, and tempt him to return once more to the collective, Platonic cave of society, where post-truth is preferred over the truth. In contemporary terms, it is also known as "The Matrix".

For venturing beyond "The Matrix" means venturing beyond what makes us human: The desire to have the company of others. And many people, you see, prefer to fall victim to their own perception of reality, for it makes them feel good, rather to explore the reality beyond that perception. And the point of socializing is to be with others for the sake of feeling good. Since the truth cares not for your feelings, good or bad, the philosopher, who speaks it, can be most repulsive to others. Therefore, being a philosopher is a social risk.

This trial demands enduring the much solitude, even if it can come at the cost of your mental health. For finding strength in the pursuit of knowledge even when the honest and good company tempts you. For the honest philosopher will pick the truth and the quest for it, over any love that hinders him or her from attaining it.

Picture a moonlit crossroads, one path leading a life of contemplation, the other to the laughter joy of friends and loved one. To pass this trial is to choose the lonely path, guided by the torch of intellectual curiosity.

In a world defined by ghosting and cowardice and hedonism, expect to be rejected tenfold by those who adhere to the moral depravity of this current world, and these three concepts. The philosopher doesn't necessarily seek the truth because he or she enjoys it. They are seeking in also for their faith in it, and the faith in philosophical inquisition is like the faith, or commitment, in marriage.

This leads us to the third trial, of endurance, for no path that's deviated from the orthodox paths is without hardship.

The Trial of Endurance:

There is no suffering where there is no life, thus to live is to suffer, and suffering is evidence of life. For to live is to grapple with the shadow of pain and its many adversaries.

Philosophers, though they seek wisdom, are no exception. At times, it is specifically because of the wisdom which they seek. For their insights may reveal truths that can cut deep within the human psyche, and delve them depths of existential sorrow unknown to most. To be able to pass both the first and second trials, is also to be able to resume enduring this quest for truths without the need for psychologists. On the other hand, people who spend time with philosophers on a personal level, might need those, more.

This trial demands the fortitude to face such burdens, to swallow the bitter pill of understanding as one might a disgusting medicine, finding in its acceptance the strengthening of their mental resilience. Hence, the quest of truth is that which can give people great power, within them, at the very least.

Imagine confronting truths that can make you want to kill yourself. For reality is not without its darker, morbid aspects. Aspects that we ignore, overlook, or pretend they do not exist. That is also a function for people to not care for the truth, and to reject philosophers from their company. For the truth does not care if we die. Logic is anti-human in a sense that it frees us from the shackles of humanity's inherit irrationality, and thus, is capable of altering us.

To pass this trial is to stare into the abyss, unflinching, and emerge bearing the burden of knowledge with newfound strength. And that strength, is much power. Power, over yourself, and potentially, over others.

The Trial of Power:

A hair's width can separate the philosopher from the cult leader, as while you can get much respect and influence, both can corrupt you, should you lack the moral compass to fight against its corrupting power.

Both attract listeners, drawn by the gems of wisdom they want to attain for themselves, whether or not these gems do exist as such. But while the philosopher seeks to find the truth, the cult leader uses the truth as a means of control and manipulation. The philosopher would allow his or her followers to be themselves, for honesty is a true virtue. The cult leader, however, has no desire for that, for he or she wants to bend people to their will, capitalizing on their weaknesses, and scamming them if there is really no truth existent, unlike what they marketed.

This trial demands resisting the seduction of manipulation, remembering that your role is not to command but to reveal insights. It demands you to respect your followers, in hopes that they will respect you as well. For liberty dictates that anyone can leave at any moment, and that the point of philosophy isn't to gain power over others, not even as a secondary goal. People come to you because they want to learn from you, and from that, your strength comes from, as a respected philosopher.

Imagine a gathering captivated by your words, their eyes display devotion to your cause. To pass this trial is to lead them toward the light of independent thought, not the blinding darkness of blind faith. Remember, a philosophy that seeks to control ceases becomes a mental cage. And in the name of the truth, we must have independent thought, not dogmatism.

When having followers, and I'm not talking about social media followers, walk the rope between the assertion of truth, and domination over others. Be ever on guard against the seductive lure of power that goes beyond mutual consent.

These trials are not pronouncements of absolute truth, but a guide on the philosopher's relentless path. The choice to embark on this journey is yours alone, so weigh these words carefully before stepping onto the solitary trail that can lead to the highest of insightful peaks wisdom.