Wonder, Embodiment, & Reflection
Wednesday Wisdoms for March 26, 2025
Mind Candy is a newsletter on practical philosophy and human flourishment—aka how to live “the good life.” Each month we tackle a new theme.
This month we’re exploring the theme of adversity.
Welcome to Wednesday Wisdom, our 3x3 Newsletter where I distill worldly advice for better living with 3 quotes, 3 observations, and 3 questions.
Wonder
🤨 Quote
“Wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.”
Plato
Source: Theaetetus
Observation 🧐
At the heart of philosophy is the curiosity for the wonderment of life.
Philosophy is not simply there to help someone survive, it is to ask fundamental questions about the nature of life, to peel back the layers and dive beneath the surface.
One byproduct of a philosophical approach to life is a more bountiful view of the experiences we have, and in turn, new resources for combatting life’s hardships.
Rather than be pushed around by the trials and tribulations of life, philosophy helps us ground ourselves in asking the fundamental questions that move us to flourish in trying times.
But it all starts with wonder and curiosity for the existence of life.
🤔 Question
What is the last thing about life that really excited you? How did you transform that excitement into something that could aid your existence?
Embodiment
🤨 Quote
“Don’t just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better, to be a more discriminating and reflective person. Books are the training weights of the mind. They are very helpful, but would be a sorry substitute for the mind itself.”
Epictetus
Source: Discourses
Observation 🧐
When one thinks of philosophy, too often we think of it as people arguing about semantics and these situations that are pushed beyond the realms of reality. Many of us have even picked up a philosophy book and put it down due to it feeling like a slog or too dense to get through.
But philosophy is not just about theories, it was always first and foremost meant to help us learn to live better lives. The famous Socratic phrase of the unexamined life is not worth living still resonates today because philosophy is meant to penetrate our soul and help us discover ourselves.
Socrates’ entire approach to life was to talk to others, anyone who would converse, try to penetrate their argument through questions, and show them where their logic did not make sense.
Theory is important, it helps us grab concepts, but ultimately we have to put into practice what we’ve been studying.
Philosophy is meant to be embodied, it is meant to be practical, it is meant to be personal.
If you find yourself not enjoying it, try finding a philosopher more your speed.
There is one for everyone.
🤔 Question
Who is your favorite philosopher and why? If they were here next to you, in the situation you’re struggling with, what is the single question you would ask them?
Beneath the paywall this week we explore the wisdom of Michel de Montaigne. Click below to support and get access.