Importance of Philosophy in the 21st Century: Critical Thinking, Inclusion, and Technological Challenges

“For several thousand years, philosophy has asked: what is the meaning of our life and death? What is Being and Nothingness? Thousands of years of questioning suggest that an answer is impossible, yet the effort remains essential. Thinking must be dynamic and relevant, not pre-formulated, nor does it exist as an axiom or a theorem. Such questions determine a person’s decisions on how to live, what to be, and how to behave with others and with oneself”, philosopher, Professor Gintautas Mažeikis from Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Dept. of Philosophy says, explaining the benefits of philosophy to everyone today.

In today’s world, philosophy provides one of the most essential skills: the ability to think critically, assess not just the past but also the society of today, and anticipate future developments. According to Prof. Mažeikis, the history of philosophy offers a solid foundation for thinking; it is an invitation to choose one’s own path and a favoured philosophy school. He stresses that philosophy is not just a complement to other disciplines; however, other sciences—from the exact to the social ones—can aid in the formulation and solving of questions that are critical to philosophy, such as those related to creativity, freedom, dignity and many other matters. Philosophy encourages active thinking about various aspects and challenges of human life—including technology.  

“The issue of technological challenges to human life was raised in the mid-20th century: what does it mean to blindly trust technology, where does that lead, and why could such thinking be pathological? It was necessary to rediscover that technology is a tool for enhancing human creativity and abilities. The same goes for artificial intelligence, which is sometimes incorrectly regarded as something above human creativity, forgetting that it is an opportunity for a person to better express themselves and exist in a healthier way”, Prof. Mažeikis elaborates.

Diversity and community spirit

Since the Enlightenment, philosophy has emphasized that human welfare depends not on unity but on balancing various powers, fostering diversity, empowering different individuals, and promoting dialogue: for instance, granting the joy and the right of self-expression to women, people with disabilities, representatives of different races, or those with different emotions, genders, and imaginations. Modern philosophy emphasises community and calls for acceptance of diverse views, in contrast to the old philosophy, which sought to find a universal ideal.

“Today, there is talk about the speed of social and cultural changes, and the dynamics of diversity. Many religious figures and politicians, who still think as if it were the 17th century, struggle to keep up with this. A new philosophy has emerged, which underlines the necessity of liberating the mind from various constraints—aristocratic, capitalist, mass ideology, authoritarian and totalitarian power—in order to understand the significance of culture, capital, social communication, and one’s own life. This new philosophy seeks to critically comprehend the growing diversity, while recognizing that some differences can be toxic, destructive, or pathological," notes the interviewee.  

Philosophy even doubts itself

Professor Mažeikis points out that modern philosophy is defined not just by the challenge of diversity but also by the necessity to protect people from irresponsibility and cynicism and shield the world from desperate and destructive actions. However, naturally, in spite of all the changes, there is still much wisdom to be gained from past thinkers.

“The philosophers of the past teach us how to think, just not in the way that ideological fanatics defend the rallying cries of Big Brother. Philosophy casts doubt even on itself. Plato teaches dialectics and the ability to interpret myths, while Aristotle explains the laws of logic and presents one of the possible ethical theories. Their philosophy is significant, but no more so than that of Kant, Hegel, Adorno, or Žižek. Philosophical texts rely on their own history, which they simultaneously critique, invent new ways of interpreting truth while immediately questioning them, and create new concepts, not all of which may be useful or correct”, emphasizes Prof. Mažeikis from VMU Dept. of Philosophy. 

According to the professor, if he could spend one hour with any philosopher from history, it would not be an easy choice: every day, he might want to meet a different thinker, depending on what questions were preoccupying him at the time. “Today I would like to ask Emmanuel Levinas, the world-renowned philosopher born in Kaunas, about the city’s pre-war era and his relationship with the Slabada Yeshiva. I’d ask Lev Karsavin about the philosophy of personality he developed in Kaunas and its relation to his tragic exile to the Abez labour camp. I’d love to discuss Baroque theatre with my friend Leonidas Donskis”, Prof. Mažeikis reveals.

Broad prospects for VMU philosophy graduates

The study programs of philosophy offered at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), according to Prof. Mažeikis, help students better understand contemporary society and the multifaceted, multidimensional world, in addition to teaching them to formulate and analyse scientific problems. 

“Here, the philosophy of the interwar-era University of Lithuania in Kaunas is recalled and the heritage of Lithuanian philosophy is nurtured. On the other hand, the possibilities of contemporary social, cultural, and political philosophy are recognised as well. The university develops the history of philosophy, phenomenology, critical theory, and new rationalism theories. The VMU Dept. of Philosophy collaborates with other philosophers and universities across Europe and the world”, notes the scientist.

The Bachelor’s degree study program “History: Philosophy and History of Ideas” introduces students to the history, contemporary trends, and practical applications of philosophy, teaching them to analyse the social, cultural, and political realities of today. Graduates have diverse career opportunities as educators, researchers, and translators, as well as in fields such as culture, media, and beyond. At the master's level, VMU offers the "Practical Philosophy" program. It provides in-depth knowledge on the theories and methods of classical and modern practical philosophy, equipping students with the skills to interpret contemporary ethical, social, political, and other phenomena. Graduates work in education, research, media, politics, and public service.

Philosophy helps in everyday life too

Journalist, communication specialist, and VMU student Dainius Daukša became fascinated by philosophy while studying Public Communication at VMU—what inspired him the most in these studies were philosophical texts, such as the French philosopher Jean Baudrillard’s The Gulf War Did Not Take Place. Because of this, the student made use of the university’s opportunities and chose minor studies of Philosophy. These provided him with an interesting challenge of delving deep into various philosophical works; a true mental workout. Later on, Dainius started pursuing a Master’s degree in Practical Philosophy.

“I didn’t expect that I’d join a unique world of perspectives, which explores issues of existence, knowing, and reality. Philosophy supplies one not just with the ability to grasp the history of this science and the history of ideas but also teaches the ways to better analyse processes and phenomena. In my everyday life, when I attend exhibitions, watch movies, or deal with modern dilemmas, I often notice that knowledge of philosophy helps me to be critical and see another point of view”, VMU student remarks.

One of the greatest gifts is the ability to question

In his studies of Practical Philosophy, Dainius particularly values the opportunity to learn how to examine various everyday things and to question their aspects that are typically accepted as self-evident, such as the preconceptions or cliches about what a city is—like the notions that it is just a creation of city planners and architects, merely a living space or a place to earn money in.

“A philosophical perspective invites you to go beyond conventional views and probe into ideas that would reveal something more about the city life, its structure, and impact on people and communities; finally, how urban spaces influence the beliefs and values of an individual. This is just a small part of what really captured my interest during my studies”, the student says, revealing that one of philosophy’s greatest gifts to him is the ability to doubt in entrenched truths and recognise cliches in one’s thinking.

According to Dainius, he became engrossed by numerous philosophers whose ideas he found relatable while studying. For instance, he especially enjoyed the French thinker Bernard Stiegler’s philosophy of technology; Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben’s insights were particularly useful while writing about the Holocaust. Dainius is also glad that this university, which is a proponent of liberal arts, is a place where everyone can find an interesting extracurricular endeavour for themselves. Personally, the student participated in the activities of the VMU Theatre and the Declamationes creative group.

While he currently has no specific future plans regarding studies or career, at the moment Dainius is most interested in educational work. “I think that education is one of the most important areas where one can have a real impact on individual growth. It would be great to promote critical thinking in other people and help them perceive the complexity of the world”, he hopes.

About VMU Bachelor’s degree study program “History: Philosophy and History of Ideas”

About VMU Master’s degree study program “Practical Philosophy”