What is Philosophy to you? Is Philosophy something you just study or is it something you apply to life?

What's your philosophy on philosophy? Do you have to be a Philosopher to discuss Philosophy?

Definition of Philosophy:

1. the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.
   
2. any of the three branches, namely natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as composing this study.
   
3. a system of philosophical doctrine: the philosophy of Spinoza.
   
4. the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, esp. with a view to improving or reconstituting them: the philosophy of science.
   
5. a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.
   
6. a philosophical attitude, as one of composure and calm in the presence of troubles or annoyances.

Dictionary.com

Definition of Philosopher:

1. a person who offers views or theories on profound questions in ethics, metaphysics, logic, and other related fields.
   
2. a person who is deeply versed in philosophy.
   
3. a person who establishes the central ideas of some movement, cult, etc.
   
4. a person who regulates his or her life, actions, judgments, utterances, etc., by the light of philosophy or reason.
   
5. a person who is rationally or sensibly calm, esp. under trying circumstances.

Dictionary.com

This should could be an interesting thread!

I am interested to understand a lot, but not to possess knowledge. This is my own hang up that I have not fully understood. It comes from an aversion to egoic intellectualism, which I seem to be mentioning frequently (all apologies).

Here, in a forum that is considered a "philosophy" forum, I am having reservations because of a judgement I have made on academia.

A serious problem in America is the gap between academe and the mass media, which is our culture. Professors of humanities, with all their leftist fantasies, have little direct knowledge of American life and no impact whatever on public policy. - Camille Paglia

If poetry is like an orgasm, an academic can be likened to someone who studies the passion-stains on the bedsheets. - Irving Layton

There is but one step from the Academy to the Fad. - Samuel Butler

I realized early on that the academy and the literary world alike -- and I don't think there really is a distinction between the two -- are always dominated by fools, knaves, charlatans and bureaucrats. And that being the case, any human being, male or female, of whatever status, who has a voice of her or his own, is not going to be liked. - Harold Bloom

I am trying to remain open. Walter Russell is *the man* as far as I am concerned. I do not have a desire to understand Plato or Aristotle or others. There is so much "new thought" however, and I do wonder how much of it is really new at all.

Is there nothing new under the Sun? What is the purpose? Can the Truth be known? What is mind? What is a soul? How does it all operate? Where is all going? Where did it originate? Is it a hallucination, a dream, a delusion? Did we fall from grace? Are we "little parts of God"? Is there a God? Is the highest form of religion atheism? Is it possible to confirm or authenticate spiritual experience? Can this be done through a filter of scientific investigation?

Well, you get the drift. I guess I DO want to know. My spiritual teachers say this is impossible and follow Taoist axioms such as lay down knowledge and toss away the self. They would roll on the ground laughing to think I am here discussing the nature of reality, existence, etc on a philosophy forum.

Shh, don't tell.