World Philosophy Day 2022: The Human of the Future

CONCEPT NOTE

World Philosophy Day is celebrated each year, on the third Thursday of November. This
significant day was officially designated by UNESCO1 to highlight the enduring value of
philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and for each
individual.

Philosophy is an inspiring discipline as well as an everyday practice that can transform

societies. By enabling to discover the diversity of the intellectual currents in the world,
philosophy stimulates intercultural dialogue. By awakening minds to the exercise of
thinking and the reasoned confrontation of opinions, philosophy helps to build a more
tolerant, more respectful society. It thus helps to understand and respond to major
contemporary challenges by creating the intellectual conditions for change.

RELEVANCE OF PHILOSOPHY

There are people who think that philosophy is such an irrelevant subject that it would be
madness to say it has something to do with other subjects. This however, is a misleading
view for it expresses utter ignorance of philosophy. It is common for many people to regard
a philosopher with suspicion and for some philosophers to refrain from making
judgements in certain issues lest they be accused of pretending to know what they ought
not to know. Many people who know and care little about philosophy view a philosopher
as a dreamer who cannot say anything sensible concerning the problems of life. This is
really unfortunate.

1
https://www.unesco.org/en/days/philosophy
Philosophy after all is always for life and not life for philosophy. Philosophy is a response
to society and to social problems. There is an old definition of philosophy, which states
that ‘philosophy is the love of wisdom’. This today may be questioned for it can be argued
that philosophy is no more a love of wisdom than for example mathematics or psychology.
When philosophy was first defined as ‘the love of wisdom’, philosophy incorporated all the
sciences that are today studied as independent subjects.

In time other sciences such as mathematics, psychology, sociology etc. have broken from
philosophy and become independent disciplines. However, philosophy still remains a
subject of its own despite such breaks. The relevance of philosophy to other disciplines is
today reflected by the fact that the highest degree in any discipline is usually referred to
as a degree in philosophy, namely Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D).

HISTORY OF WORLD PHILOSOPHY DAY

Philosophy delves into the concepts of existence, knowledge, values, the mind, language,
and reason and has evolved throughout history. Philosophy has certainly shaped our
present world and will mold and transform our future world’s societies. Therefore, it is
only befitting that UNESCO institutionalized World Philosophy Day in 2005.

In 2007, UNESCO published a 726-page multilingual (Arabic, Chinese, English, French,

Russian, and Spanish) program and meeting document on the Records of the General
Conference, 33rd session, Paris, 2005. This was the Proclamation of World Philosophy
Day. In launching World Philosophy Day in 2005, UNESCO emphasized that philosophy is
vital to young people and a discipline that inspires the objective analysis and evaluation
of issues to make a judgment. World Philosophy Day boosts the development of
independent critical rational thinking, which leads to an improved understanding of the
 world, encouraging peace and forbearance. The UNESCO General Conference in 2005
had the conviction that embedding the concept of World Philosophy Day in society
would popularize philosophy, particularly in teaching it to the world.

After the day’s first celebration in 2002, UNESCO deemed it imperative to institutionalize
the celebration of philosophical reflection the world over in 2005. This annual festivity
supports people worldwide to participate and share their respective cultural legacies for
authentic and peaceful synchronicity in the world.

HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD PHILOSOPHY DAY

1. Participate in workshops and cultural events

In collaboration with academic institutions, government, and organizations, UNESCO

arranges various activities such as philosophical dialogues, debates, conferences,
workshops, cultural events, and presentations showcasing the theme of World
Philosophy Day for that year. Everybody is welcome to celebrate the occasion. The
Department of History and Philosophy will be hosting a library display of the
philosophical history within the Caribbean and global from November 17th-24th, 2022.

2. Celebrate at home

You can download thinking sheets, visual philosophy recitals, and posters, which you can
relish on your own or share with friends and people around the world on any social
platform. You can even celebrate by reading a book, watching a movie or series on
philosophy.
3. Join hands with UNESCO

Actively participate and join UNESCO’s planned activities and events for the year’s
celebration at international, national, and local levels. You can participate in activities with
philosophers from innumerable social and natural sciences, media legislatures, teachers,
students, and the general community. There are also exhibitions, book launches, fairs,
and philosophy cafes, among other exciting and educational happenings.

WHY WORLD PHILOSOPHY DAY IS IMPORTANT

1. Every person can share their philosophical heritage

World Philosophy Day is not just a celebration or commemorating fun activities. It is a

platform that encourages people to enthusiastically voice out their philosophical
thoughts on ancient and contemporary issues and understand the world better. This
greatly aids in the peaceful coexistence of diverse people all over the world.

2. Raises public awareness

World Philosophy Day spreads the knowledge of the vital role of philosophy and its
importance in the choices arising for many civilizations from globalization or access into
the future world.

3. World Philosophy Day is educational

Celebrating the day nurtures philosophical analysis, research, and studies on major
current events, to respond more efficiently to the challenges experienced these days.
Planned activities for World Philosophy Day 2022

UNESCO will be celebrating World Philosophy Day in 2022 by holding a series of webinars
on 17 November on the theme of the human of the Future which will be live-streamed.

Click here to register and participate in this global event:

https://events.unesco.org/event?id=2177652444