Can We Make Philosophy Popular?

It didn’t take too long before realising he was famous. Probably the third or fourth group asking for photos tipped us off. Of course we didn’t know who the distinguished gentleman sitting two tables over was at first... a sideways snap, dispatched to a local friend who’s more ‘knowledgeable’ about Spanish celebs, confirmed the star’s details. It was none other than Francesc Orella, the Catalan star of the popular netflix series, Merlí. I was delighted... because, despite my usual dearth in popular culture references, I did in fact know the show. Indeed, I had been recommended the series numerous times! Afterall, it is a show about a philosophy teacher... and each episode includes the approaches of a great thinker or school of thought, such as the Peripatetics, Nietzsche or Schopenhauer, linking their teachings with fictional events and characters. The creators reference films like Dead Poets Society, in their attempts to bring philosophy to the public. They even described Orella’s character as a sort of ‘new Aristotle’ who ‘teaches his students to question and reflect’. What’s not to love? Your editor with Francesc Orella Fortunately for me, the actor spoke perfect English as well... so I told him I appreciated what he was doing for philosophy. “I also work in philosophy of sorts”, I awkwardly confided, “and I think it’s just so important nowadays for people to get exposure to it... so I think it’s wonderful the show can get young folks interested in philosophy.” Francesc smiled warmly and politely thanked me before posing for the next waiting bystanders. Of course not all of us can star in a hit netflix series dedicated to philosophy. In fact, almost no one does - outside Francesc Orella that is. So, what can the rest of us do? How can we get those around us interested in viewing the world in different ways? In studying alternative perspectives and the proposals of great minds throughout the centuries? Essentially: How can we make philosophy popular? As always, you can write me directly at anya@classicalwisdom.com or comment below. Also, on a completely related note: Happy Birthday Marcus Aurelius! Yes, it’s been exactly 1900 years since the closest thing to a philosopher king was born on this day, April 26th, 121 AD. His contributions to popularizing Stoicism can not be underestimated. Indeed, we only like to imagine how he would respond to our Stoic Essay Competition question: How can Stoicism help address the problem of anger in modern society? If you are a student, or know a student, who would like to win a $500 cash prize and have their essay read by prominent Stoics, check out the details to enter here. Artículo*: plato Más info en psico@mijasnatural.com / 607725547 MENADEL (Frasco Martín) Psicología Clínica y Tradicional en Mijas Pueblo (MIJAS NATURAL) *No suscribimos necesariamente las opiniones o artículos aquí compartidos. No todo es lo que parece.
It didn’t take too long before realising he was famous. Probably the third or fourth group asking for photos tipped us off. Of course we didn’t know who the distinguished gentleman sitting two tables over was at first... a sideways snap, dispatched to a local friend who’s more ‘knowledgeable...

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Más info en psico@mijasnatural.com / 607725547 MENADEL Psicología Clínica y Transpersonal Tradicional (Pneumatología) en Mijas y Fuengirola, MIJAS NATURAL.

(No suscribimos necesariamente las opiniones o artículos aquí presentados)