Some philosophy today is in a bit of a sad state.

I am often met with articles on my newsfeeds disputing some of the most obvious aspects of existence.

Does time exist?

What is truth?

Do we really have free will?

These are not things that we should be questioning in this day and age. Is this really what people spend thousands of dollars on education to come back to the public to dispute? It can be sad and frustrating to see. 

Let’s address these simple questions.

Does time exist? – Yes, as both the definition and measure of duration. Although we sit in an ever-persistent present state, our memory lets us experience the fact that things can move and that change occurs within the world, proving the existence of duration. If there were no time, everything would be sitting in one static state and nothing at all would have happened to develop what exists today.

What is Truth? – When we say something is true, we are saying it is actual. It is accurate to reality and not just theoretical. Is what is true to one person not true to another? Yes, in some things, like preferences and personal ideals, but that doesn’t mean objective truth doesn’t exist. While each may have their own perspective, there are still undisputed actualities that are the same between all people, like the properties of physical reality and even foundations of morality.

Do We Really Have Free Will? – If free will didn’t exist, I don’t think there would be any likelihood to even ask this question. The existence of choice is an indication of free-will. Even will itself, a self-derived action, is an indication of freedom. It wouldn’t even exist if all of our actions were directed by an external force. Choice and will themselves are basic existential freedoms that indicate the existence of “free will”.

These days, it seems that sometimes the most absurd proposals get the most attention. Where has Occam’s razor gone in the world of philosophy today? In many cases, it’s nowhere to be found.