World Philosophy Day

World Philosophy Day History

World Philosophy Day is a global observance highlighting the significance of critical thinking and philosophical reflection in today's world. Instituted by UNESCO, it aims to foster dialogues and discussions on diverse beliefs, ideologies, and cultures, enabling people to share their knowledge and wisdom across borders. This day also strives to underline the enduring value of philosophy for human development and encourages young people to explore questions beyond their immediate contexts.

Recognized in 2002, World Philosophy Day explores heterogeneous thoughts and traditions in its yearly celebration. In India, philosophy has a rich and deep-rooted history, dating back to ancient times, with prominent schools of thought such as Vedanta, Yoga, Buddhism, and Jainism. The Indian philosophical tradition has contributed immensely to global thinking, with eminent philosophers like Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, and Jiddu Krishnamurti continuing to inspire millions. This observance aims to invigorate India's rich philosophical heritage and promote rational, dialectical thinking in an increasingly interconnected and complex world.

World Philosophy Day is observed in India through various events such as seminars, workshops, panel discussions, and debates at universities, philosophical institutions, and cultural centres. Educational institutions often organize lectures where eminent philosophers and scholars share their thoughts and ideas on contemporary and classical Indian philosophy. These events highlight the importance of philosophy in addressing the challenges and questions that humanity collectively faces. World Philosophy Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of November, promoting the value of philosophy and its role in shaping intellectual traditions and cultural diversity across the globe.

World Philosophy Day facts

• Rene Descartes is considered to be the father of modern Western philosophy. He is widely credited with being the first to use the concept of reason to develop the natural sciences. He lived from 1596 to 1650.
• Thales of Miletus is widely considered to be the father of philosophy. He was a Greek philosopher, mathematician and astronomer that lived around 624-546BC.
• One of the earliest and most influential philosophical texts in Indian history is the Hindu scripture called Bhagavad Gita, dated around the second century BCE. It is a part of the Indian epic Mahabharata and contains various philosophical teachings focusing on self-awareness, duty, and the path to spiritual realization.
• Indian philosopher Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE) founded the Advaita Vedanta school of thought, which is considered one of the most influential branches of Indian philosophy. Advaita Vedanta emphasizes the non-dualistic nature of reality, asserting that Brahman (the ultimate reality) and Atman (individual self or soul) are one and the same.

In the News and Trending in India for World Philosophy Day

Top things to do in India for World Philosophy Day

• Raise awareness on social media by using the tags #WorldPhilosophyDay, #PhilosophyDay and #PhilosophyandCooperation
• Tune in to the live webcast of the philosophical debates on UNESCO’s website. It can be streamed in French or English at the UNESCO site.
• India has a rich philosophical tradition, with various schools of thought like Vedanta, Nyaya, Sankhya, Yoga, etc. Use World Philosophy Day to delve deeper into Indian philosophy, read texts from Indian philosophers, and discuss their ideas.
• There are many thought-provoking movies and documentaries that explore philosophical themes. Spend the day watching and discussing these films, either alone or with others via a virtual watch party.