On The World Philosophy Day
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
20 November 2025
World Philosophy Day is an international day proclaimed by UNESCO to be celebrated every 3rd Thursday of November.
Though there are contemporary philosophers like Yuval Noah Harari, Slavoj Zizek, Jordan Peterson, Alain de Botton, among others, I'd like to discuss the ideas of Zizek and Peterson. Harari's overwhelming popularity has made him somewhat of a philosophical cliché. So, I'm not including him here despite my great fondness for his revolutionary and radical philosophical views.
Here's a very famous quote of Slavoj Zizek in today's context of radicalization: The greatest evil is not radicalism, but the indifference that allows it to flourish. In this thought-provoking quote, philosopher Slavoj Zizek highlights a fundamental truth about the nature of evil. He contends that it is not the radicalism itself that poses the greatest threat to society but rather the indifference and apathy that permit it to rise and thrive. Zizek points out that evil can only persist when people turn a blind eye to its existence or fail to take a stand against it. By emphasizing the significance of individual engagement and resistance, he challenges the notion that radicalism alone is responsible for societal upheaval.
Ultimately, Zizek prompts us to recognize our collective responsibility in confronting evil, insisting that our indifference can be as damaging as the radical ideas we choose to ignore. This is very true in the radicalization of a bunch of 'educated' doctors at a dubious medical college in Faridabad, NCR. Their radicalization process was going on for a few years and it stands to reason that many were in the know of what was going on. Yet, those who were aware of it, chose to look askance and turned a Nelson's eye to the mass radicalization of the doctors. Had they informed the higher authorities, a massive blast could have been averted on November 10 in which a doctor and assistant professor Dr Umar Nabi blew himself up along with 13 innocent people. No one stopped their religious radicalization despite knowing that something fishy was going on. This is really sad and condemnable. To quote 'Nashtar' Nishapuri, "Jaanib-e-Gunah Se Pher Leen Nazarein / Ye Bhi Koi Kam Nahin Gunah Se " (Turning a blind eye to a crime is no less than the perpetration of crime).
Here's one from Jordan Peterson, "Life is very difficult. One of the most ancient of religious ideas that emerges everywhere, I would say, is that life is essentially suffering." Jordan Peterson's quote points to the common thread running through the world's many religions: life is a struggle. Every living thing experiences suffering in varying degrees, and no matter our religious beliefs, it is a universal experience. Life is difficult, but it's in the overcoming of these difficulties that we find growth and meaning.
The challenge and the suffering allow us to develop our strength and resilience, and to learn how to navigate an uncertain future. Recognizing the truth of suffering is the first step in finding a sense of peace, and in crafting a purposeful life. Happiness is but an occasional episode in the painful drama of life. The Buddha called suffering the leitmotif of human life. Khushi Bhi Mili Toh Dukh Ki Shakl Mein Mili (Even the happiness came in the form of pain). Most of us are sufferers in one way or the other. To quote my own couplets in Urdu, "Ranj-O-Gham Ki Hi Ummeed Rahi Humesha Mujhe / Mili Kabhi Khushi Toh Ik Haseen Saaneha Samjha Use" (Always did I expect pain and suffering / If ever I got happiness, I called it a beautiful mishap) and "Ret Ki Maanind Phisal Jaati Hai Mutthi Se/ Woh Shai Hai Khushi Jo Mil Jaati Hai Mitti Mein" (Like the sands from the fist does it slip out/ Happiness disappears before Jack Robinson can be blurted out).
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/world-philosophy-day/d/137702
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