Definition of a “Philosophy”
A full philosophy to live by should not only be a perceived truth. It should describe how to live with that truth and inspire one to live courageously towards our deepest desires and goals, to stand up against one’s challenges and overcome them, to better understand oneself and improve oneself, and to see things for how they truly are and not succumb to ideas that are conveniently in line with our casual whims.
Knight of Many Faiths
How to Be a Knight of Many Faiths
The Knight of Many Faiths consciously and frequently creates goals, and exhibits complete faith working towards them. It is not enough that one has complete faith in only one aspect of one’s life (ie in the spiritual & religious as in Kierkegaard’s Knight of Faith, or in one over-arching purpose that resonates most true with oneself as in Nietzsche). Only when one practices faith over various aspects of one’s life, even over the smallest actions his mind sets on doing, until his every waking moment is full of faith and blissful enjoyment and awareness, only then can one find true fulfillment and happiness. Why? Because having faith is a skill strengthened by habit; it cannot be maintained or perfected without being practiced frequently everyday. Besides our main purpose and beliefs, as humans, we have many other duties that we cannot neglect such as sustaining our survival (food / water / sleep / hygiene / fitness), maintaining our shelters, understanding ourselves and the world around us, learning and staying informed about the world, cultivating our relationships and initiating new ones, fulfilling some of our desires or whims, enjoying hobbies and exploring new experiences, contributing to society, as well as others. Thus, we must create goals and faith over all these roles and duties. Otherwise, we find ourselves lacking faith in most of our days, as it is all too easy to get caught up in the minutiae of daily life and lose one’s way of faith. Eventually, faith can be a perpetual attitude, empowering any action your mind sets on doing, no matter how little – as small as doing one’s best at welcoming a guest into one’s home – and believing one will make them feel as happy as they possibly can be in that moment.
FAQ / Beliefs / Pillars of the Knight of Many Faiths
1) What is Faith?
Faith is not only expecting favorable results of one’s actions and lacking excess dread for unfavorable results (being positive), but more deeply, acting without uncertainty (that no matter what happens, acting towards your goal is helping you towards it). Positivity or hope or “doing one’s best” are not as black and white, not as empowering as one believing they will accomplish said goals/tasks. And maintaining faith is difficult, as it takes willpower to maintain certainty in the face of turmoil, or even through the repetition and diversions of everyday life. Egotism is not required (thinking you’re the best). However, one should be utterly proud and blissful when acting towards his path, or when without a path, proud and blissful whilst pro-actively finding and developing one’s path. Even further, the Knight of Many Faiths enjoys the experiencing of struggling towards one’s goals and the ensuing Nietzschean suffering (it make things more meaningful and helps one find one’s path).
2) How to choose what goals/tasks to have good faith regarding and stay inspired to stay true to them?
First, we must have drive for truth, to see things for as they truly are (don’t have illusions) [Nietzsche], so we don’t choose goals/tasks that end up not being congruent to what we are trying to accomplish or truly believe in. One of the big overlaps of many philosophies is limiting desire (seen in Stoicism, Buddhism, Asceticism), which aids in figuring out what we truly want and stay aligned to them.
Secondly, we must utilize crop rotation (try different things and learn more about the world and meet people and enjoy other fruits of life), which aids in being inspired by life and its many beauties. Crop rotation can help stave boredom, and help one grow, choose goals and inspire oneself to live faithfully towards them. It may prove impossible to stay focused and make all of one’s actions towards one’s purpose – boredom may ensue and crop rotation can help. If nothing else, inspiration can be drawn from even the cherishing and introspection of one’s suffering in life (Amor Fati – “love of one’s fate”). Inspiration can be born from any soil.
Thirdly, it can be helpful to break down goals into smaller rather than overarching ones, and especially into quantitative goals that are measurable. Larger goals can be overwhelming, daunting, and seemingly impossible to carryout.
3) What are examples of general aspects of your life to have faith regarding?
– I will find my calling in life (as a day-to-day faith, might be the faith that today’s energies towards researching or learning about other careers will eventually lead you to finding your calling)
– I will find my one true love (but as a day-to-day faith, might be the faith that you will keep your eyes open for opportunity and develop a love interest in your meetings with people)
– I make everyone around me feel the happiest and most loved ever (as a day-to-day faith, might be the faith that today your jokes and being yourself will make people around you as happy as you can possibly make them)
– I will protect and take care my loved ones (as a day-to-day faith, always be prepared to drop things at a moment’s notice to help loved ones)
4) Should a Knight of Many Faiths have a main life purpose to have faith regarding?
A Knight of Many Faiths is a Pragmatic Idealist – “We can, should, and very much want to make major changes in our world, but we also know that major change can only be achieved with direct and practical step-by-step plans.” One must have faith regarding both the smallest tasks at hand and the strongest purpose(s) that resonates within oneself.
Examples: I will accomplish ______ or save humanity from ______ or help the people around me with _____
5) How does a Knight of Many Faiths view the world and his life within it?
While the Knight of Many Faiths views the world with as much truth as possible, he also views life with eyes of wonder, that this world and this life is amazing, and that so many things are possible. A viable religious view would be pantheism (God is everything). A Knight of Many Faiths is poetic about his life – as the artist, the passion in the way he carries himself and his actions are the brushstrokes to the beautiful painting that is his life. However, his artfulness is only utilized as inspiration for action. Action should not be purely for inspiration towards art (devoting one’s life on the aesthetic) [Nietzsche].
Difference to other Philosophies:
– Kierkegaard only values the spiritual & religious faith. The spiritual can be worked into the Knight of Many Faiths’ life, but not naturally as spirituality has no grounds in reality – difficult to rationalize that there are real actions one can perform that could measurably bring one closer to religious faith.
– Nietzsche doesn’t recognize that humans have social needs and that it’s impossible for us to solely focus on one’s self-perfection, achievements, or other overarching purpose. If we view everything as only tools or obstacles towards our main focus like Nietzsche does, then we are refusing to acknowledge and accept our humanity.
– Philosophers desire to explain all of human actions as being because of one simple drive, e.g. the “will to __” (Freud’s will to pleasure – we do everything for pleasure, Nietzsche’s will to power – to gain more power and dominate others, Schopenhauer’s will to live – survival, Frankl’s will to meaning – create meaning). However, there is no provable reason for all of humanity’s actions or existence, and no reason to even speculate. Where do habits fall into these ideological explanations? Habits are super strong even if they cause pleasure, pain, self-improvement, domination, creation of meaning, or other.
– Difference to a Burning Desire – People may find themselves in the position of being utterly filled with a desire to attain or achieve something. In essence, this may entail natural faith when one has certainty they will attain or achieve said goal. However, this may not be sustainable if it is not self-generated (one may lose this desire and not regain it), ie pressured by others. In addition, if having this burning desire is less than a conscious choice, the Knight of Many Faiths may be acting in bad faith, because he is not being in command of his choices, rather being more of a slave to others or his past experiences.
Questions to test this philosophy
Q: Is figuring out your purpose (Examinedpurpose.com) more or less important than living with passionate faith?
A: It depends where you are in life. If you have the freedom to create and pursue a purpose, this would be ideal. However unfortunate that it may be, many people do not have the luxury of being able to learn of different purposes, try different ones, and choosing the best fit.
Q: Why must we have faith?
A: If one is empowered to best of their ability, within their purpose and their everyday moments and actions, then thinking about faith would not be necessary. This person already is faithful, however, the majority of people probably are not.
Q: Do successful people have faith? Do they spend time with specific thoughts related to having faith or do they only fill themselves with the feeling? Are these two styles essentially the same? Does the Ubermensch have faith?
A: [Must do additional research]
Q: Do different things work with different people?
A: Yes, this is only a soft framework.
Q: Faith is specifically the belief it will happen no matter what (without uncertainty). Is it possible that one will not try if his goal will certainly happen?
A: Realism should be a tenet of any philosophy, and thus, every person must accept that actions and effort will bring them closer to their goals. Any philosophy or thoughts have less meaning if they do not impact the user’s efforts and actions, and in consequence, no impact on the real world surrounding the user.
Q: How should someone view themselves, as faith is moreso in one’s actions?
A: It is difficult to be both improving oneself (which says one is not perfect) and having faith that oneself is on his/her true path. This is why the Knight of Many Faiths must have radical acceptance of oneself, no matter what condition or what situation he/she finds himself/herself in life. One may even adopt, if it is helpful, the Ubermensch’s view of oneself: that one’s own beauty/excellence/life is paramount to him/her.
Q: If we have faith in everything we do and every moment, does this mean every action or moment is equal in importance?
A: No, we prioritize.
Reactions to other Philosophies:
– Romantic View of Life – Romantic love is attractive but real love and marriage is a terrible disappointment. Goethe discussed a view of love called classicism which involves some pessimism and acceptance of the troubles that afflict all couples over time.