My Philosophy

[DISCLAIMER]

The above photo was taken when I was assigned to the Marine Security Guard detachment in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil (1999-2000), as I was approximately 23-years-old at the time. That was during a time in my life when I began to think about matters on a deeper level than I had previously.

This is understandable, given that one source states that brain development isn’t complete until near the age of 25 years, specifically regarding development of the prefrontal cortex. That’s the area of the brain associated with higher-order cognitive functions, such as risk processing.

Reflecting upon that period of my life, I’m reminded of a song by hip hop collective Boogie Down Productions on their 1988 album By All Means Necessary, performed by lyricist KRS-One, entitled “My Philosophy”. It was also featured on Yo! MTV Raps: The Album (1989).

Notably, the track features a musical sample of the song “Sister Sanctified” by Stanley Turrentine and Milt Jackson. As well, it contains a vocal sample of a piece entitled “The Philosopher” by Lutheran Laymen’s League which states:

So, you’re a philosopher?

Yes, I think very deeply.

Per one source, “Philosophy (‘love of wisdom’ in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, value, mind, and language. It is a rational and critical inquiry that reflects on its methods and assumptions.”

The term “philosopher” is often associated with an expounder of a theory in a particular area of experience (e.g., one who earns a Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy—the highest academic degree awarded by universities, signifying advanced study and original research in a specific field).

Yet, colloquially, a philosopher is merely one who seeks wisdom or enlightenment while thinking deeply. Challenging this distinction, one source states:

Philosophers are commonly called “thinkers,” but really, that is not an adequate definition of a philosopher. A philosopher looks at the world in wonder. He seeks the underlying meaning of things; he wants to understand it and codify it into a system of thought.

If he succeeds in this task, he often feels compelled to share his system with the world, even knowing it is likely futile. This is because he loves the world, despite the difficulty it has given him.

Provided this distinction, I consider myself an informal philosopher. Of course, I take into consideration the merits of one Redditor’s response when answering the question, “When can you call someone a ‘philosopher’?”:

It really depends on what you mean by “philosophy”. If you are a “lover of wisdom” or someone who has other professional obligations but still spend time thinking about, appreciating, and generally deferring to philosophical subject matter, then someone like Plato is likely to call you a philosopher.

I do not think there is anything wrong with calling people who think, act, and believe in a certain way “philosopher”.

On the other hand if you are asking about the professional field of “philosophy” then likely you are not considered a philosopher until you receive specific and guided philosophical education. Often times we call someone a philosopher because they are professional philosophers. Or, additionally, because they made specific and large contributions to the field of philosophy.

It is likely that all those who fit into this second meaning of philosophy would also fit into the first.

I suppose my answer is that you might actually be a philosopher depending on how you look at it. Certainly your philosophy professors are philosophers no matter how small their contribution to the field might be (compared to Kant or Hume for example).

Given this distinction, I’m a philosopher (one who’s devoted to knowledge, wisdom, and understanding). Alternatively, I’m nowhere in the league of formal philosophers. When further contemplating this matter, I think about my preferred psychotherapeutic modality.

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

Authors of The Daily Stoic quote ancient Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus, upon whose philosophical body of work much of REBT is founded, who stated, “An important place to begin in philosophy is this: a clear perception of one’s own ruling principle” (page 77).

When providing psychoeducational lessons on REBT in my personal and professional life, I’m often surprised to discover how few people maintain functioning principles (comprehensive and fundamental laws, doctrines, or assumptions which operate as rules or codes of conduct).

For example, I consider it morally (of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior) and ethically (principles of conduct governing an individual or a group) wrong to commit the act of murder (the crime of unlawfully and unjustifiably killing a person).

Therefore, my principle regarding murder is not to engage in such behavior. This is a separate matter from lawfully and justifiably killing a person (e.g., self-defense). Noteworthy, in “My Philosophy”, KRS-One states, “See, I’m not insane. In fact, I’m kind of rational.”

When teaching people about REBT, I describe rationality as that which is in accordance with both logic and reason. Ergo, my philosophical stance on murder is steeped in logical and reasonable consideration of subjective moral and ethical principles.

Discussing the matter of philosophy, authors of The Daily Stoic state, “Philosophy is intimidating. Where does one start? With books? With lectures? With the sale of your worldly possessions?” (page 77). In Rio, my philosophical consideration began with observations.

There were many matters about which I remained ignorant in regard to the Departments of Defense and State—both United States (U.S.) governmental organizations I served at the time. Witnessing how the U.S. operated in South America, my worldview was challenged.

Following my observations were questions about my role in what I considered immoral and unethical government operations throughout the world, as I then contemplated whether or not the U.S. was the baddie on a world stage. Authors of The Daily Stoic continue (page 77):

Epictetus is saying that one becomes a philosopher when they begin to exercise their guiding reason and start to question the emotions and beliefs and even language that others take for granted.

It is thought that an animal has self-awareness when it is able to fully recognize itself in a mirror. Perhaps we could say that we begin our journey into philosophy when we become aware of the ability to analyze our own minds.

In the photo above, my philosophy began to take form. Although I’d been provided a firm religious foundation from my Jehovah’s Witnesses and Church of Christ upbringing, my secular views were founded in healthy skepticism about questionable influence of the U.S. government.

I observed and questioned immoral and unethical rulers from the U.S. I also understood that as a member of the Marine Corps I was in part responsible and accountable for the manner in which my home nation acted. Since that time, I’ve continued to hone my critical thinking abilities.

Having informally begun life coaching in the ‘90s, becoming a psychotherapist in 2011, I now teach people about how to un-disturb themselves using REBT. When thinking deeply about rulers and teachers, I’m reminded of what KRS-One said in “My Philosophy”:

Teachers teach, and do the world good

Kings just rule, and most are never understood

If you were to rule or govern a certain industry

All inside this room right now would be in misery

No one would get along, nor sing a song

‘Cause everyone’d be singing for the king, am I wrong?

When first hearing the track in ‘88, I didn’t understand the message. After all, I was a child and didn’t have the thinking capacity I began to possess at around the age of 23. Also, my principles were malleable. Now, my interpretation of the song is further enriched by deeper thinking.

Unless I’m mistaken, KRS-One seems to imply that educators spread knowledge about which people can think in the manner of informal philosophers. Presumably, world leaders function in a different way by demanding fealty while shrouding their motives in mystery.

Thus, if subjects of a king (for instance) were to behave as commanded, they’d do so out of rigid devotion to dogma rather than desire for unifying knowledge. In essence, people would behave as blinded fools instead of enlightened philosophers. Of course, my interpretation could be off.

In any event, as REBT partially uses a philosophical approach to well-ness, I appreciate the ability to think deeply about matters as opposed to foolishly committing to unprincipled and unwise methods of living. In this way, I dispute the unrealistic philosophies of my mind.

The late psychologist Albert Ellis, who developed REBT, referred to personal philosophies as the modes of thinking which lead to self-disturbance (the manner in which we upset ourselves with unfavorable beliefs). In specific, Ellis and his coauthors stated (page 19):

“Is neurosis, then, strictly a matter of attitude and philosophy of life?” you may ask. Pretty much so, say I. It is an unrealistic, immature, and usually self-immolating way of looking at oneself and the world.

It is a perfectionistic or grandiose demand (rather than a reasonable enough preference) that things occur and people act in a certain way; it is over-concern about and over-reactivity to the things that may or do happen in life; and it is usually a determined, pigheaded refusal to accept oneself and the world as they are and an asinine insistence that things should, or ought, or must be different from the way they are.

My philosophy, or as Ellis and his coauthors termed one’s “philosophy of life,” is what causes unpleasant self-disturbed reactions (e.g., fear, anger, sorrow, disgust, etc.). Intrinsically, what you think or believe, and which becomes your personal philosophy is a source of suffering.

In fact, Ellis and a coauthor also stated that “human disturbance almost always results from the individual’s mistaken, unrealistic, or illogical beliefs, or philosophies” (page 24). When living in Rio from 1999 to 2000, I knew nothing about the process of self-disturbance.

Unhelpfully, I upset myself quite a bit back then. Now, I share with you how one’s philosophy of life impedes contentment, satisfaction, or happiness. If you’d like to know more about changing your philosophies on life, then I look forward to hearing from you, developing philosopher.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

AEI. (n.d.). About Albert Ellis, Ph.D. Albert Ellis Institute. Retrieved from https://albertellis.org/about-albert-ellis-phd/

Arain, M., Haque, M., Johal, L., Mathur, P., Nel, W., Rais, A., Sandhu, R., and Sharma, S. (2013, April 3). Maturation of the adolescent brain. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3621648/

BoogieDwnProdVEVO. (2013, June 20). Boogie Down Productions - My Philosophy (Official HD video) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/h1vKOchATXs?si=wkJamwc3tyOSVHZW

Daily Stoic. (n.d.). Translating the Stoics: An interview with “The Daily Stoic” co-author Stephen Hanselman. Retrieved from https://dailystoic.com/stephen-hanselman-interview/

Discogs. (n.d.). Various – Yo! MTV Raps: The Album. Retrieved from https://www.discogs.com/release/1187215-Various-Yo-MTV-Raps-The-Album

Ellis, A. and Harper, R. A. (1961). Creative Marriage. The Institute For Rational Living, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/creative-marriage-e184052310.html

Ellis, A., Moseley, S., and Wolfe, J. (1978). How to raise an emotionally healthy, happy child. Wilshire Book Company. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/albert-ellis-how-to-raise-an-emotionally-healthy-happy-child-d200796037.html

Foreal. (2018, July 8). The International Lutheran Laymen’s League - The Philosopher (spoken word) (My Philosophy sample) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/El4x1zGOgZ8?si=AlOs4_NOFy9_Eb_k

Holiday, R. and Hanselman, S. (2016). The daily stoic: 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living. Penguin Random House LLC. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-daily-stoic-366-meditations-on-wisdom-perseverance-and-the-art-of-living-d61378067.html

Hollings, D. (2024, May 22). A philosophical approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-philosophical-approach-to-mental-health

Hollings, D. (2024, April 18). Applying the method. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/applying-the-method

Hollings, D. (2024, January 3). Are we the baddies? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/are-we-the-baddies

Hollings, D. (2024, November 15). Assumptions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/assumptions

Hollings, D. (2024, November 24). Automatic thoughts and beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/automatic-thoughts-and-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2025, May 7). C is for contentment and that’s good enough for me. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/c-is-for-contentment-and-that-s-good-enough-for-me

Hollings, D. (2025, July 14). Consider what you desire. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/consider-what-you-desire

Hollings, D. (2024, October 27). Correlation does not imply causation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/correlation-does-not-imply-causation

Hollings, D. (2024, November 4). Critical thinking. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/critical-thinking

Hollings, D. (2022, October 31). Demandingness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/demandingness

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2023, June 19). Existence. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/existence

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2024, November 21). Free your mind. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/free-your-mind

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (2024, September 24). Happy place. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/happy-place

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2025, January 26). Ignorance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ignorance

Hollings, D. (2025, January 12). Insane in the membrane. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/insane-in-the-membrane

Hollings, D. (2024, September 26). Interpreted reality. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/interpreted-reality

Hollings, D. (2025, March 4). Justification. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/justification

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Legal should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/legal-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2022, June 23). Meaningful purpose. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/meaningful-purpose

Hollings, D. (2024, September 27). My attitude. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-attitude

Hollings, D. (2024, June 3). Neurosis. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/neurosis

Hollings, D. (2025, April 13). Non-aggression principle – Don’t put your hands on me. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/non-aggression-principle-don-t-put-your-hands-on-me

Hollings, D. (2024, July 7). Non-dogmatic preferences. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/non-dogmatic-preferences

Hollings, D. (2024, April 22). On disputing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-disputing

Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings

Hollings, D. (2025, April 9). Perception, action, and will. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/perception-action-and-will

Hollings, D. (2022, November 7). Personal ownership. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-ownership

Hollings, D. (2025, April 25). Preferences vs. expectations. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/preferences-vs-expectations

Hollings, D. (2024, May 26). Principles. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/principles

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation

Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2024, May 15). Rational living. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-living

Hollings, D. (2024, December 5). Reasoning. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reasoning

Hollings, D. (2024, March 14). REBT and emotions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rebt-and-emotions

Hollings, D. (2024, January 4). Rigid vs. rigorous. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rigid-vs-rigorous

Hollings, D. (2025, January 15). Satisfaction. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/satisfaction

Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2024, October 29). Seriously, who are you? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/seriously-who-are-you

Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought

Hollings, D. (2024, April 21). Stoicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/stoicism

Hollings, D. (2023, September 6). The absence of suffering. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-absence-of-suffering

Hollings, D. (2025, January 16). The words we use matter. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-words-we-use-matter

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2024, October 20). Unconditional acceptance redux. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance-redux

Hollings, D. (2024, September 25). Unrealistic philosophies. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unrealistic-philosophies

Hollings, D. (2025, February 9). Value. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/value

Hollings, D. (2024, September 29). Well, well, well. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/well-well-well

Justarius. (2007, February 15). Who is a philosopher? Philoscifi. Retrieved from https://philoscifi.com/2007/02/15/who-is-a-philosopher/

Stanley Turrentine – Topic. (2015, March 23). Sister Sanctified [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/TpfgVcY9Dn0?si=fzysGfSNI6oeJOHG

TheFormOfThe Good. (2018). When can you call someone a ‘philosopher’? Reddit. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/8b6wmz/when_can_you_call_someone_a_philosopher/

WhoSampled. (n.d.). The Philosopher by Lutheran Laymen’s League. Retrieved from https://www.whosampled.com/Lutheran-Laymen%27s-League/The-Philosopher/

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Boogie Down Productions. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boogie_Down_Productions

Wikipedia. (n.d.). By All Means Necessary. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By_All_Means_Necessary

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Churches of Christ. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churches_of_Christ

Wikipedia. (n.d.). David Hume. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hume

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Epictetus. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epictetus

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Immanuel Kant. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Jehovah’s Witnesses. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses

Wikipedia. (n.d.). KRS-One. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KRS-One

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Milt Jackson. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milt_Jackson

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Philosophy. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Plato. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Prefrontal cortex. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefrontal_cortex

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ryan Holiday. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Holiday

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Stanley Turrentine. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Turrentine

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventromedial_prefrontal_cortex