Philosophy can be found and practiced in many disciplines and in many subjects. We often see philosophers practicing to philosophy in arenas such as societal ideals, cultural movements, religion and politics. Thus we can categorize the philosophy of social values, the philosophy if cultural movements, the philosophy of religion and the philosophy of politics, to name a few.  

The world is made up of many entities that are related in complex ways.[1] The processes of various related philosophies help identify and produce workable applications for others to use

 A Medieval Italian author and government employee named Niccolo Machiavelli penned a book titled “The Prince”. It was an extremely dynamic portrayal of the philosophy of the typical politicians and dynastic rulers of his day. The very idea behind “The Prince” overturns any official hierarchy of values.[2] Machiavelli’s text actually turned out to be a handbook for the philosophy of governmental politics. Today Machiavelli’s book still presents a discernible philosophy experienced in many governmental leaders of modernity and post modernity.

Often the academic discipline of theology is somewhat defined as the philosophy of who God is in relationship to His creation. Even the result of a specific philosophy of one’s own religion will produce various philosophical approaches to theology such as monotheism (belief that there is one God and only one[3]), pantheism, theism, polytheism, deism, atheism, etc.                  

Ultimately, these various philosophies combine to form a philosophy of life itself for the individual. A life philosophy for an individual is generally formulated on the foundation of their worldview.

There are also many other peripheral influences that contribute to a person’s philosophy of life. These peripheral influences often assist immensely in the answering of questions of fact, value, explanation and even those “meta” questions. Many times the philosopher unknowingly draws from these influences in the use of area in their life where they consider their own personal expertise to hold credible value in the philosophical process.

The most common influencing factors that help form someone’s philosophy of life are usually found in their immediate nuclear family, consisting of parents and siblings; immediate friends and piers, or those that they interact and associate with in social activities; foundational educational experiences they encounter in the formative first two decades of life; and the immediate environment of living, working and general socialization.

Foundational experiences also contribute realty to someone’s philosophy of life. Personal intimate events as well as participating in an extremely traumatic incident, or the direct observation of such a situation can clearly influence an individual’s philosophy of life.

An example of this would be how the citizens of the United States were philosophically transitioned by the events of 911 in the year 2001. Those who were in New York City in lower Manhattan on that day were no doubt more greatly influenced than those across the nation who sat adhered to their televisions all day. Still, both groups were noticeably changed by the accumulative trauma inflicted on the nation because of 911.

The critical input evidence in understanding the philosophical change oin a person’s life comes from asking these questions. Question of fact - Where were you when the events of 911 began to take place? Question of value – How did the events of 911 change your personal life? Question of explanation – Why do you think the events of 911 happened?

And finally the “meta” questions – How do the details of 911 as you perceive them fit together in a big picture?  What are the catalysts that influenced your life the most through the 911 experience?

When these questions are somewhat or completely unanswerable, the philosopher, or the philosophical process may turn to other recognized philosophical postures in place to render direction, influence and/or assistance.

Deep philosophical statements such as the one given by C.S. Lewis – “Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny” [4] nudge the philosopher in a certain direction of developmental understanding. The words of Jesus Christ in the New Testament Gospel According to Mark are; “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.” (Mark 13:7) These words may tilt the philosopher in yet another angle of philosophy addressing the issues of 911.                        

The bottom line reality is that there are many influences that help form an individual’s personal philosophy of and toward life itself. Some are authoritative. Some are legitimate. Some are illegitimate. Some are strictly relational. Some press the philosopher in positive ways.  Still others may produce a negative effect on the end results of a philosophy of life. Yet, they are all necessary contributors and contributions to the philosophical processes.