Lift with strength, set down gently: A philosophy primer for a peaceful life

Back in 1990, Professor Joseph Agassi of the Philosophy Department at the University of York, UK, explicitly stated that he felt the market was saturated with introductory philosophy books. Nevertheless, he still wanted to publish "A Common Root: An Introduction to Philosophy," a summary of his philosophy course, aiming to be a popular reader for rational inquiry with a comprehensive understanding of philosophy. Time has passed quickly, and the third edition, translated into Chinese by his student, Hong Kong barrister Margaret Ng, and others, was finally published in 2023.

"A Common Root: An Introduction to Philosophy," published by 116 Studio, translated by Margaret Ng, Wong Man-Lai, and Chan Wai-Hung.

JingJing has introduced many introductory philosophy books, but it's always challenging to capture the "enlightening" common ground and interpret the philosophical context. This is because philosophy involves rational inquiry into human life's reflections and social behaviors, covering a wide range of observations and temporal spans. In recent years, with the world in turmoil, people deeply crave explanations for a complex world from philosophical and literary works of humanistic thought. This intellectual current seeks to emphasize the individual, especially in the face of anxiety and instability, wanting to remain detached politically and socially while also reflecting on the essence of self-reliance in culture. This has been a major reason for the surge in philosophy books in recent years. However, enthusiasm eventually fades, and after the pandemic, the trend cooled, and philosophical thought books gradually lost public interest. But this specific moment presents an opportune time for reflection and maturation.

Agassi believed in "critical philosophy," a life view that does not compromise on any conclusions. An ordinary person like me, when reading Sartre's "Existentialism Is a Humanism," would be deeply attracted by its concern for humanity, believing that our souls are inherently for living. Reading "The Communist Manifesto," one would yearn for its utopia, overlooking that it is not a program for action, only to be discussed in classrooms. Agassi tried to maintain impartiality, minimizing bias, balancing questioning and rationality, allowing readers to easily navigate its ideas.

JingJing 31 has repeatedly curated book exhibitions on the theme of philosophy.

Among the many schools of philosophy, the essence of authority is to provide us with security. We don't constantly need to ask ourselves why we are human, why we should think, and our relationship with nature, others, and society. Real society is full of shadows of different depths. Agassi believed that people should know how to be critical but also honest and rational. Translator Margaret Ng, his student, was deeply influenced by his thought and often made direct criticisms that were mistaken for disrespect. She said that Agassi believed that showing off knowledge and having famous mentors often hindered true criticism, which is why he refused to "clique up" in academia, preferring to face various visible and invisible judgments. Margaret Ng quoted scholar Liu Qing further, stating that precisely because Agassi's theories were too simple and clear, providing simple solutions to complex ideas, he was underestimated and easily forgotten as an outstanding thinker.

Macau's unique urban development history has long fostered an attitude of "it's not my business." 

If you want to find a way to live well through philosophy, and ask "how should I choose to live?" this book might disappoint. However, it organizes the common intellectual foundations from ancient Greek rationalism to contemporary science-dominated philosophical problems, allowing us to distinguish for ourselves. Philosophy in daily life is no longer limited to the intellectual class, freeing people from contradictions and liberating the misconception that daily life is not noble, with no need to pursue great ideals.

In my opinion, the history of human enlightenment is actually very short, broadly speaking, it only began with the Renaissance from the 14th to 16th centuries, about five hundred years ago. There's no need to rush to go further. We can collectively declare how good or evil human nature is, but these are all based on contemporary structuralism and ethical differences. He emphasizes that lifestyles include issues of belief, and an important belief is to respect each other's differences, and how to be respected is an interesting question that needs to be discussed and practiced in both private and public spheres.

For me, why should people study philosophy? If stakeholders in all fields possess philosophical thinking and critical ability, the world might progress further towards our ideals.

And if you and I are both pessimists, then we are fellow travelers.

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