Solomon Maimon and the "Villainy" of Philosophy -- The Ongoing Struggle for Unpopular Ideas
Updated: May 10
(Note: This AI Art is not an accurate portrait of the philosopher in question. This is how the late Solomon Maimon looked)
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Why Philosophers Are the Ultimate Killjoys
Let's be honest: few people enjoy killjoys. But philosophers, with their relentless questioning and skeptical nature, might just be the ultimate party poopers. Fueled by a desire for truth, they challenge our cherished beliefs and assumptions, shattering the comfortable illusions we hold dear.
This philosophical" party pooping" can happen on both an individual and communal level. Through logic and reason, philosophers can expose the flaws in our personal beliefs, forcing us to confront a reality often uncomfortable and even disturbing. And if we are interested in their findings, but lack the proper mindset for it, we can easily commit the newcomer's fallacy and watch as we're not really ready for the truth.
Similarly, like with the innovation of technology, they can challenge long-held societal norms and traditions, sparking debates that can be unsettling but ultimately lead to progress.
Of course, this pursuit of truth can come at a cost. Throughout history, philosophers who dared to question the status quo have faced ostracization and even persecution:
Socrates was famously forced to drink poisoned wine for his unorthodox views on Athenian society.
Hypatia, a brilliant mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, was brutally murdered by a mob for her teachings and for her counsel to the Prefect of Alexandria, Orestes.
To this day, Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza is considered a "philosopher apostate" by the Lords of Maamad (Leaders of Jewish communities) who excommunicated him from Jewish society for his philosophy in the field of theology. And I quote:
"Having long known of the evil opinions and acts of Baruch de Spinoza, they have endeavored by various means and promises, to turn him from his evil ways. But having failed to make him mend his wicked ways, and, on the contrary, daily receiving more and more serious information about the abominable heresies which he practiced and taught and about his monstrous deeds, and having for this numerous trustworthy witnesses who have deposed and born witness to this effect in the presence of the said Espinoza, they became convinced of the truth of this matter; and after all of this has been investigated in the presence of the honorable hakhamim, they have decided, with their consent, that the said Espinoza should be excommunicated and expelled from the people of Israel..."
Despite the risks, philosophers persevere. Their questioning spirit is essential for a healthy society, for it is their lambasting that allow us to look both ways. It prevents blind acceptance of tradition and encourages us to continually re-evaluate our beliefs. While they may not always be "welcome" at the "party", philosophers play a vital role in helping us understand the world around us, even if it means bursting a few bubbles along the way, and triggering the populace.
Should we develop the habit of forgiving others for being and thinking differently from us, we can further normalize and enable being forgiven ourselves in general. That is although it is often hard. To quote Mr. John Duran:
The Price of Thinking Differently: A Case Study of Solomon Maimon
One of these philosophers who paid dearly for his "eccentric opinions" was the 18th-century Jewish intellectual, Solomon Maimon. Born in Lithuania (now Belarus), Maimon's thirst for knowledge led him to delve into both philosophy and Kabbalah, a mystical Jewish tradition. Furthermore, he is considered the representative of Epistemological Rationalism, and a critic of Immanuel Kant.
However, his studies led him to unorthodox conclusions. Maimon's belief that Kabbalah was rooted in philosophy clashed with the established religious views of his community. Branded a heretic at death and scandalizing rabbinic authorities when he was alive, he faced ostracization. Even in death, he wasn't granted a place in the town cemetery but outside of it. It was a symbolic rejection highlighting the depth of his condemnation.
Despite the fact that admission to a Jewish cemetery was predicated on proper ancestry, a person’s life commit- ments would nevertheless bear on that individual’s final resting place even within the cemetery. A suicide, an apostate, or a heretic would be interred in a separate row or section in, or just outside, the Jewish cemetery.
Seeking acceptance, Maimon attempted to convert to Christianity. To quote him:
"I am a native of Poland, belonging to the Jewish nation, destined by my education and studies to be a rabbi; but in the thickest darkness I have perceived some light. This induced me to search further after light and truth, and to free myself completely from the darkness of superstition and ignorance. To this end, which could not be attained in my native place, I came to Berlin, where by the support of some enlightened men of our nation I studied for some years, not indeed after any plan, but merely to satisfy my thirst for knowledge.
But as our nation is unable to make use not only of such planless studies but even of those conducted on the most perfect plan, it cannot be blamed for becoming tired of them, and pronouncing their encouragement to be useless. I have therefore resolved, in order to secure temporal as well as eternal happiness, which depends on the attainment of perfection, and in order to become useful to myself as well as others, to embrace the Christian religion."
Ironically, even the church found him "too much of a philosopher" for their liking.
Expelled from both Berlin and Amsterdam, Maimon's life exemplified the challenges faced by those who dare to question the status quo.
Rejection of Freethinking in Contemporary Times
Maimon's story, though from a bygone era, resonates even today. While we celebrate freedom of expression, truly embracing unpopular opinions remains a struggle, as it can be countered by cancel culture. In the virtual "town square" of the internet, or even in real-life conversations, dissent of common thought can still be met with scorn and dismissal. When too uncomfortable, people may often resort to not only rejection but coercion as well.
This highlights the gap between our ideals and reality. We aspire to a world of acceptance, yet our emotional nature often trumps logic when faced with challenging ideas, deeming them a weakness in the world of content creation.
Achieving a truly open society where eccentric and controversial viewpoints are heard requires a collective effort to overcome the urge to silence opposing voices, along with their oppression. The path to wider acceptance may be longer than we'd like to admit, but Maimon's story serves as a stark reminder of the price we pay when we stifle intellectual curiosity. Truth-seeking, therefore, may require much sacrifice, especially within the world any religion that isn't as open minded as Shinto-ism.
The Ongoing Struggle for Unpopular Ideas
The pressure to conform to established norms can be a tyrannical force, especially for those who challenge the status quo. As long as we fear questioning these norms and their potential to stifle democracy and free speech, those who push boundaries – like philosophers – risk being vilified by the mainstream narratives. Being a philosopher is therefore a social risk.
Skeptics might argue this phenomenon is a relic of the past. However, consider content being banned by social media platforms. While it could increase security, it harms the flow of information, imperative for philosophy. To quote NetReputation:
The amount of factual, real news that is published online and through your internet service provider can be severely limited when internet censorship is implemented.
Already, there are individuals arrested each and every day for sharing inappropriate and illegal content online. And something as simple as liking a post on Facebook or commenting on a blog post can land you in a heap of legal trouble, even if the content you interacted with wasn’t necessarily dangerous or damaging.
Maimon's story serves as a grim reminder. His ostracization presents the loneliness and danger faced by those who dare to challenge established beliefs. However, Maimon also embodies the unwavering pursuit of truth, even in the face of societal rejection.
His story serves as a great proof to the value of independent thought, even if it means swimming against the current. Dare to know! Get the reference?
Mr. Nathan Lasher's Feedback
What if philosophy were more seen as a characteristic than an absolute? Wouldn’t you agree applying a little bit of philosophy to someone's life can make them a better person? Why does a person have to automatically descend into telling all truths? Leave the uncomfortable subjects to those who are well versed in the matters. Can’t there be a middle ground in philosophy, applying the concepts to your life without needing to be a party pooper?
Can’t you just use philosophy to better your life without resorting to becoming a philosopher? You use philosophy to become a better person. Simple as that. No career change needed. And better is not limited to one area. You can use it to better your value as an employee, coworker, friend, and family member.
