I like quotations, and on Facebook I’ve attentuated my stream as best I could to provide me with thoughtful quotations and other interesting stuff despite the troublesome algorithms.

A quote caused a little discussion.

No man can hope to become a good philosopher unless he has certain feelings which are not very common. He must have an intense desire to understand the world, as far as that is possible; and for the sake of understanding, he must be willing to overcome those narrownesses of outlook that make a correct perception impossible. He must learn to think and feel, not as a member of this or that group, but as just a human being. If he could, he would divest himself of the limitations to which he is subject as a human being.

Bertrand Russell, The Art of Philosophizing and other Essays, 1968.

It ends up that some of my friends view me as a philosopher, at least in this context, which I consider praise since I do want to understand the world, and I am willing to overcome the narrowness of outlook. I don’t really belong to any group as much as I orbit some. Of course, this quotation is powerful because to an extent we all see ourselves this way. Someone brought up ‘Warrior Philosopher’, and I pondered that. What does that mean? What is a warrior philosopher? As a writer, such characters would be interesting.

I dug around a bit in my mind of people who I would consider a warrior philosopher, which of course has my own bias in it. Some examples of warrior philosophers are:

1. Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) – Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher. He is best known for his work “Meditations,” which offers guidance on how to maintain composure, discipline, and a sense of ethics in the face of adversity. His reign and philosophical writings embody the Stoic virtues of wisdom, courage, and justice. As someone who considers himself somewhat of a Stoic, I do resonate with this personally.
2. Sun Tzu (544–496 BC) – A Chinese general, military strategist, and author of “The Art of War,”¹ a treatise on military strategy, tactics, and philosophy. His teachings have transcended military theory, influencing business tactics, legal strategy, lifestyles, and more.
3. Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645) – A famous Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, and ronin. His book “The Book of Five Rings” (Go Rin no Sho) is a text on kenjutsu and the martial arts in general, but it also provides insights into a philosophical approach to conflict and strategy. He’s actually a personal favorite figure of mine.
4. Arjuna (Epic Age of India) – A central character in the Indian epic Mahabharata. He was a skilled archer and warrior, and his philosophical discourse with Lord Krishna, which forms the basis of the Bhagavad Gita, addresses the moral and ethical dilemmas of warfare. I grew up in my teens exposed to Hinduism, and this was probably the most central part of it.
5. King Leonidas of Sparta (c. 540-480 BC) – Although more known for his military leadership at the Battle of Thermopylae (300, the movie), Spartan culture emphasized a combination of physical excellence and intellectual education, and Leonidas, like many of his peers, would have been trained in philosophy as well as warfare.
6. Al-Farabi (872–950 AD) – A renowned philosopher and jurist in the Islamic Golden Age who wrote extensively on political philosophy, metaphysics, and ethics. He was also known for his knowledge of music and its theory, showcasing a diverse set of intellectual pursuits.
7. Yagyu Munenori (1571–1646) – A Japanese swordsman and founder of the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu school of swordsmanship. He served as a sword instructor and a military and political adviser to the Tokugawa shoguns. His works blend swordsmanship with Zen and Confucian philosophy.
8. Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) – The founder of Shotokan Karate-do, viewed as a modern-day philosopher-warrior. He emphasized not only the physical aspects of martial arts but also the spiritual and ethical dimensions, advocating for Karate as a means of personal development.

Thus we can see parallels. A warrior philosopher, a figure combining the disciplines of martial prowess and deep philosophical understanding, would likely adhere to a set of tenets that balance physical strength, strategic acumen, and ethical or philosophical wisdom. These tenets could include:

1. Discipline and Self-Control: Mastery over one’s own emotions and actions, maintaining composure in the heat of battle and in everyday life. One could even say grace.
2. Courage and Bravery: Facing challenges head-on when necessary, both on the battlefield and in the pursuit of knowledge, without succumbing to fear or hesitation.
3. Wisdom and Knowledge: Continual pursuit of understanding, both in martial arts and in the philosophical realms, seeking truth and deeper meanings in all experiences.
4. Ethical Conduct and Integrity: Adhering to a strong moral code, treating others with respect, and maintaining honesty in all endeavors even when, and perhaps especially when, others aren’t aware.
5. Strategic Thinking: Employing careful planning and foresight in all pursuits, understanding the broader implications of actions.
6. Physical and Mental Endurance: Cultivating a strong body and mind to endure hardships, be it in battle or in the rigorous exploration of philosophical ideas.
7. Compassion and Empathy: Recognizing the value of life and understanding the perspectives of others, both in warfare and in peace.
8. Balance and Harmony: Striving for a balance between physical actions and mental beliefs, ensuring that one’s life is a reflection of one’s philosophy.
9. Adaptability and Open-Mindedness: Being open to new ideas and adaptable to changing circumstances, both in combat tactics and in philosophical thought.
10. Leadership and Responsibility: Taking responsibility for one’s actions and leading others by example, inspiring both courage in battle and thoughtful reflection in quieter times.

These tenets supposedly combine the virtues of a skilled warrior with the introspective depth of a philosopher, creating a holistic approach to life that values both action and contemplation. If we replace ‘combat’ with ‘confrontation’, we can see many more people around us every day that could qualify. Beware those that want to qualify.

What is perhaps most important about all of these figures is that they were capable of communicating their message not just by example but through the written word. In this way they left an indelible mark in their own ways, yet I didn’t add that in as a requirement because I have encountered people who fit the criteria yet don’t necessarily communicate further than their examples.

While writing all of this, I did note that we could possibly have Idiot Philosophers by the latter criteria, but I suppose that’s a nice post for another time.

1. https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/132, free. ↩︎