Philosophy Overview
Understanding Philosophy. To truly understand something, one must fully comprehend what he/she is learning about. Philosophy by definition is
“The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.”
I like to give you the exact definition so that it helps you learn what some of these big, overpowering words mean. We as future chiropractors and present chiropractors don’t only want to learn and memorize a definition but take the definition, of philosophy specifically, and make it our own. Before you can make it your own, however, you must learn from yourself over time what your hobbies are, what your lifestyle choices are, and what you enjoy doing each and every day when you are healthy, and when you are possibly ill. What kinds of choices do you make, do you treat symptoms, get to the cause, or simply nothing, or as the Beatles once said, “Let it be?”
As pre-chiropractic students we are given a great deal of information to sift through and create our own ideas about it. We are raised with questions involving bringing prescription drugs into the chiropractic profession, vaccinations, and are tested frequently on the true power of the human body. What kinds of things affect you as a person in this society? What makes you stop and think, well that’s not right, or that is right and I should start living my life in a better fashion to mirror that of another idea? These are all things that add up to your philosophy.
It is the toughest obstacle you will face along your journey of chiropractic. Creating your philosophy that fits you, and maybe a sum amount of other individuals. Each philosophy is truly different, and always changing. Your philosophy is practically your view on the world, how it affects you, what role you play in society, and what you do to go about changing those folks out there that don’t think the same way as you although you believe what you are doing is the better way of life. This viewpoint of yours will not only change over time as you learn more and more, and acquire an abundance of information throughout your undergraduate studies as well as graduate, but it will be challenged constantly.
Challenged frequently, as in, with society (strangers will question your views, and ideas), in nature (the natural way of life will challenge you), and lastly your dear friends and family. Everyone and everything at some point in your lifetime will challenge your views, morals, and ethics. You have to stay strong for what you are choosing to believe is the right thing. Stay strong, yet be a sponge. Absorb information people are dishing out at you (i.e. facts/statistics), take them for what they are worth, and learn from them, but do question the facts, question the science. You may not always be in the right, but for Pete’s sake, live your own life, let people question you and stay strong willed.
Have you ever found your philosophy challeging to maintain with changing times, if so contact us, we would love to share your story!
