Philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. It is a discipline that has been around for thousands of years and has shaped the way humans think about themselves and the world around them.
Philosophers helped many people open their mind and expand their consciousness. On the other hand, many philosophers suffered from depression and mind issues.
Some actually lost their mind as we wrote in our article “Philosophers who went insane.”
And you can not blame them as they tried to answer some crucial questions that are almost impossible to answer.
In this article, we will explore some of those questions.
We bring you the biggest philosophical questions that will make you think relly deeply.
So, let’s begin.
The Nature of Reality
What Is the Nature of Existence?
One of the biggest philosophical questions is the nature of existence. What does it mean to exist? Is existence a property of things, or is it a concept that humans have created?
Philosophers have debated this question for centuries, and there is no clear answer.
Some argue that existence is a property of things, while others believe that it is a concept that humans have created to make sense of the world around them.
Interesting fact: According to philosopher Martin Heidegger, existence is not just a property of things, but it is also a way of being in the world.
Is Reality Objective or Subjective?
Another big question related to the nature of reality is whether it is objective or subjective. Objective reality is the idea that there is a single reality that exists independently of human perception.
On the other hand, subjective reality is the idea that reality is created by human perception and that there is no single reality that exists independently of human perception.
Note: We’ve written really extensively about the True Nature of Reality in one of our longest articles, so you might want to check that one out.
Interesting fact: According to the philosopher Immanuel Kant, reality is a combination of objective and subjective elements. He argued that there is a world outside of human perception, but that we can only perceive it through our own subjective experiences.
Knowledge and Truth
What Is the Source of Knowledge?
Certainly one of the biggest philosophical questions is the source of knowledge. How do we know what we know? Is knowledge innate or acquired through experience?
Some philosophers believe that knowledge is innate or inborn, while others believe that knowledge is acquired through experience.
Plato, for example, believed that knowledge is innate and that we are born with it.
On the other hand, John Locke believed that knowledge is acquired through experience.
Can We Ever Know the Truth?
Another big philosophical question is whether we can ever know the truth. Is truth subjective or objective? Can we ever be certain that what we believe is true?
Some philosophers believe that truth is subjective and that what is true for one person may not be true for another.
Others believe that truth is objective and that there is a single truth that exists independent of our beliefs.
Interesting fact: The concept of truth has been debated by philosophers for over 2,000 years.
Consciousness and Identity
What Is Consciousness?
Consciousness is the state of being aware of one’s surroundings, thoughts, and emotions. It is a complex and mysterious phenomenon that has perplexed philosophers, scientists, and basically every human being for centuries.
Despite our advances in neuroscience and psychology, we still do not fully understand how consciousness arises from the brain.
Actually, we don’t understand it at all.
There are several theories about the nature of consciousness, including the global workspace theory, the integrated information theory, and the higher-order theory.
Each of these theories attempts to explain how the brain generates conscious experience, but none of them has been conclusively proven.
Interesting fact: Some scientists believe that consciousness may be a fundamental property of the universe, like space and time.
What Makes You You?
Identity is another philosophical question that has intrigued thinkers throughout history. What makes you the same person you were yesterday, or ten years ago?
Is it your memories, your physical body, or something else entirely?
According to the psychological continuity theory, personal identity is determined by the continuity of one’s psychological states, such as memories, beliefs, and desires. On the other hand, the biological theory of identity asserts that personal identity is grounded in the continuity of one’s physical body.
Interesting fact: Some philosophers have challenged the notion of a fixed, stable self, arguing that our identities are constantly in flux and shaped by our experiences and relationships.
Meaning and Purpose
Does Life Have Inherent Meaning?
One of the biggest philosophical questions that people contemplate is whether life has inherent meaning. Some argue that life has no inherent meaning, and that it is up to each individual to create their own meaning.
Others argue that life does have inherent meaning, and that it is up to individuals to discover what that meaning is.
Those who believe that life has no inherent meaning often point to the fact that the universe is huge and indifferent, and that there is no ultimate purpose or goal to life. They argue that any meaning that we assign to life is simply a human construct.
On the other hand, those who believe that life does have inherent meaning often point to the fact that life is full of experiences, relationships, and opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
They argue that the very fact that we exist is evidence that there is some sort of purpose to life.
Interesting fact: The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche famously said, "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."
What Is Our Purpose?
Another philosophical question that people often ponder is what our purpose is. Some say that our purpose is to seek happiness, while others say that our purpose is to serve others or to make the world a better place.
Those who believe that our purpose is to seek happiness often point to the fact that happiness is a universal human desire, and that it is a key component of a fulfilling life.
They argue that by pursuing happiness, we are fulfilling our purpose in life.
On the other hand, those who believe that our purpose is to serve others or to make the world a better place often point to the fact that we are social creatures who thrive on connection and community.
They argue that by helping others and contributing to society, we are fulfilling our purpose in life.
Interesting fact: The philosopher Aristotle believed that our purpose in life is to achieve eudaimonia, which is often translated as "happiness" or "flourishing."
Ethics and Morality
Is Morality Relative?
Morality refers to a system of principles or values that guide individuals or societies in determining what is right or wrong.
The question of whether morality is relative or absolute has been a topic of debate forever.
Relativism argues that morality is subjective and varies from culture to culture, while absolutism asserts that there are universal moral principles that apply to all individuals and cultures.
Proponents of moral relativism argue that moral principles are shaped by cultural and historical contexts.
They argue that what is considered moral in one culture may not be considered moral in another.
On the other hand, proponents of moral absolutism argue that there are universal moral principles that apply to all individuals and cultures, regardless of cultural or historical contexts.
Do Ends Justify the Means?
The question of whether the ends justify the means is a big moral and ethical dilemma. The ends justify the means is a phrase that suggests that the outcome of an action is more important than how that outcome is achieved.
In other words, if the end result is good, then any means necessary to achieve that result are justified.
Proponents of this view argue that sometimes it is necessary to take extreme measures to achieve a greater good.
For example, a doctor may have to perform a painful procedure to save a patient’s life. On the other hand, opponents argue that the means used to achieve an end are just as important as the end itself.
They argue that using unethical means to achieve a good outcome is never justified.
Interesting fact: The phrase "the ends justify the means" can be traced back to the Roman poet Ovid, who wrote, "Exitus acta probat," which translates to "the outcome justifies the deed."
Existence of God
Does God Exist?
One of the biggest questions in life overall is whether God exists or not. Every human on Earth asked this question at least once.
Those who believe that God exists often point to the complexity and order of the universe as evidence. They argue that this complexity and order could not have arisen by chance and must have been created by an intelligent being.
Others argue that the existence of evil in the world is evidence that God does not exist.
Interesting fact: The philosopher René Descartes argued that the existence of God was necessary to explain the existence of the self.
Can God’s Existence Be Proven?
Another big question related to the existence of God is whether his existence can be proven or not. Many arguments have been put forward to prove the existence of God, but none of them have been universally accepted.
One of the most famous arguments for the existence of God is the cosmological argument, which states that everything in the universe must have a cause, and that cause must be God.
Another argument is the teleological argument, which states that the order and complexity of the universe suggest the existence of an intelligent designer.
Interesting fact: The philosopher Immanuel Kant argued that the existence of God cannot be proven through reason alone, and that faith is necessary to believe in God.
Free Will and Determinism
Do We Have Free Will?
The question of whether humans have free is one of the most fundamental in philosophy. Some philosophers argue that humans have free will, while others argue that our actions are determined by external factors such as genetics, environment, or past experiences.
Those who argue that humans have free will believe that we are able to make choices independently of any external factors. They argue that we have the power to choose our actions and that our choices are not predetermined by any external factors.
Interesting fact: In a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, participants who were primed with the idea of determinism were more likely to cheat on a test than those who were not primed with the idea.
How Does Free Will Interact With Determinism?
Determinism is the philosophical belief that all events, including human actions, are ultimately determined by external factors. This belief is often seen as incompatible with the idea of free will, as it suggests that our actions are predetermined and therefore not freely chosen.
However, some philosophers argue that free will and determinism can coexist. They suggest that while our actions may be determined by external factors, we still have the ability to make choices within those predetermined parameters.
Others argue that determinism actually supports the idea of free will, as it suggests that our actions are a result of our own choices and not simply random events.
Interesting fact: In a study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota, participants who were primed with the idea of free will were more likely to help others than those who were not primed with the idea.
The Problem of Evil
The Problem of Evil is one of the most significant philosophical questions. It is a question that arises when one considers the existence of evil in the world and the idea of a benevolent, all-powerful deity.
In this section we will explore two sub-questions that arise from the Problem of Evil and provide a brief overview of each.
Why Does Evil Exist?
One of the most significant sub-questions that arise from the Problem of Evil is why evil exists in the world.
Some philosophers argue that evil exists as a result of human free will, while others suggest that it is a natural part of the world that we live in.
Regardless of the cause, the existence of evil raises significant questions about the nature of morality and the role of God in the world.
Interesting fact: The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus is often credited with the earliest formulation of the problem of evil.
Can Evil Coexist With an Omnibenevolent Deity?
Another sub-question that arises from the Problem of Evil is whether evil can coexist with an omnibenevolent deity.
If God is all-good and all-powerful, then why does evil exist in the world? This question has led to a variety of responses, ranging from the idea that God allows evil to exist for a greater good to the idea that God is not all-powerful or all-good.
Interesting fact: Theologians and philosophers have developed several responses to the Problem of Evil, including theodicies, which attempt to reconcile the existence of evil with the existence of God.
