Many philosophical systems, such as Stoicism, may lead to a happier and more peaceful life. But just studying them misses the point. We must find what is true for us in our lives. Marcus Aurelius makes many observations and statements that could turn the light on inside the reader or listener and lead to the way out of anxiety and stress:

“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...”

Marcus Aurelius is just one of may brilliant philosophers who contemplated how to avoid the upsets and troubles of life and be emotionally free. Yet, as we know, Marcus Aurelius and others came many centuries before us, and the world, as a whole, has not paid much attention.

The world is still engaged in behaviors that do not lead to peace or happiness. However, everyone can benefit from the great thinkers in their daily lives for they have shown us the way. Their words have helped many individuals and that is why they have survived to this day.

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The purpose of philosophy is to do exactly what you're doing right now: To ask “why?”. After all of our basic needs are taken care of, such as food, shelter, and procreation, we then start asking the question "why?".

Until our basic needs are taken care of, we don’t have time to sit around and contemplate, “Why are we doing all this?” We just survived, if we were lucky or skillful enough. But all animals survive. What differentiates us from the animals is that we ask “Why?”

The ancient philosophers looked up at the sky and wondered, “What is this all about? Why are we here? Did anybody, such as God, put us here? Who are we? How can we be at peace within ourselves, now that all our needs are met?

The Stoic philosophers, the Buddha, Lao Tsu, and so many others realized that we have the capacity to reason, figure things out, and find a way to live at peace with ourselves, nature, and each other. This is why philosophy came about. As humans we have the unique capacity to contemplate our own deaths and frame our lives accordingly.
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Of course, nothing can really be known with our limited brains, and we can debate about objectivity and subjectivity forever. But that is not the point. We are philosophizing animals if we live beyond the survival stage. And we will continually wonder why.