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If you can think for yourself, analyze the world, you don't need school. Some are too smart or wise for that kind of institution. However, I might go back just for kicks. I had my reasons to leave. I'm born writer and philosopher.

Well you can forget about the "inner peace and harmony". Those are the goals of people who have difficulties with complexity. Being a philosopher can actually be somewhat unpleasant at times.

Most people that I know of who are philosophers tend to realize at an early age that they think about things more and are less likely to just accept a prefabricated reality from others, especially those in authority, who tend to become the most suspect. Separating myth from reality and beliefs from knowledge seems to come naturally. Apparently for most people this is uncommon. Just read some of the religious question on the religious forum to understand what I'm writing about.

Doesn't mean that philosophers are superior or better, but it does tend to separate them from 90+% of the rest of humanity. And they tend to annoy others and even each other with all their questions. There is a similar problem with scientists as they may have similar personality traits. It may be a genetic thing but I would suspect that it is simply the luck of the morphological development in the womb of the fetus, such that certain areas of the brain become more developed (and other areas less), and, of course, the early socialization of the infant to very young child makes a difference too.

I can remember at the age of about five standing in front of my home by the street and looking up and down and across the street to the elementary school I would attend the next year (back in the 1940s there were no kindergartens) and thinking to myself that this was what was real and not the religious stories that my parents and people at the church told. To me, the key was in the differences between the artificial structures of the narrative and metaphorical forms and the natural structures of the world, although those words did not come to me until many years later. (As you might guess I don't accept that thinking is some sort of mentalese inner language but far more visceral.) But I also realized that most people didn't notice those differences and that made me feel separate from them.

There is no one way to becoming an official "philosopher". Getting a degree doesn't make you anything. It just means that you satisfied the requirements for a degree and donated a lot of money to usually a good charity. Any person can get a degree in philosophy. The only advantage of a degree is that it opens doors for you that otherwise institutions are designed to keep shut.

Not sure why anyone would want to be called a philosopher, but are we talking about an Eastern or a Western approach here? I lean toward the Eastern approach because it feeds meaning in my life. I think though that this thread is more focused on the Western approach, or academic philosophy.

With that in mind, I believe you need a certain amount of intelligence and enthusiasm to become a philosopher. You also need to study. It helps me to learn from people who have made the same mistakes in thinking that I will make, and to know the history and evolution of thinking as the world community of philosophers has addressed the evolving levels of thinking about all kinds of things. I don't want to waste my time discovering ideas that have been thought before and found to be inadequate explanations. I'd rather ride on the shoulders of those who have gone before so I can look at the most interesting questions, because philosophy for me isn't about finding answers. It is about finding new questions that evoke wonder. It can be exciting!

It has been said that everyone is born. Philosophers are born, too. It is what comes after a person is born that makes them what they are.

I would ask a question in return: How do you want to distinguish yourself as a philosopher? Just as a good lawyer is not merely one who knows how to argue, a philosopher is someone who also is able to bring value to a meaningful discussion.

Education is never a waste. I have found that the value of my ideas are enhanced when I can describe the genealogy of thought that is the basis for my conclusions. When I am discussing an idea with other people who are similarly qualified, it helps to be able to point to my research and experience as the basis for telling them why they should listen. In other words, it helps to cut some of the endless debate short so that we can move toward something that really has meaning and value.

I wish you well on your search.

I would say that a human being is born in a particular philosophical setting, say family, society, or era. but that being is not a philosopher yet.

Its a choice. and even with a choice not every one can be a philosopher.

The theme is, there are so many things in this world that if seen with unprejudiced eyes would lead you nowhere.

There are so many things to explain and ponder upon, that I believe not one person can explain any thing fully. Its a job for many generations of philosophers and as I said even with that choice taken not everyone can become one.

Does an M.D. in cardiology know everything about heart? Are all cardiologists equally qualified? Mind it Philosophy is not a science its an art.

No study can make you what your personal experiences can, especially in "wisdom loving", and artistic philosophical world.

Actually anyone can become a philosopher cause each of us has a different our of view of life and this point of view becomes our very own philosophy. Our own philosophy could be sometimes right in the eyes of others but our own philosophy can't help others achieve inner peace and harmony cause the terms of inner peace and harmony vary for different people.

To be considered a "philosopher" one must study "philosophy". Just like one would not be considered a "physician" just by (for example) studying one's body system (say the heart) and learning a few things about it, you don't become a "philosopher" simply but pondering life's fundamental questions. You may have an interest in philosophy, but it does not make you a philosopher. See what I mean? "Study" is a key word here.

yes u are a philosopher . u need not to worry about any type of study , every invention done in the past by the persons like we are , u can repeat their invention ,if u try. sometimes it happens with me , I DISCOVER SOMETHING and find that this invention had already existed. so u can satisfy yourself by discovering something new or repeat any old . however the knowledge gained by study may lead u wrong also, so do something with your mind. GOOD LUCK !

I hear you sister! I think it is important to explore the history of the subject. But as with any degree you have learned what someone else thinks, which is accepted as truth. Bringing new thought is difficult and takes time to be accepted. Remember that at one time in the distant past that the earth was flat and changing that fact took time.

I've always had a natural ability..am i lucky? I have studied also...,it tended to sanctify or mess me up. B yourself and study some in your spare time. Best of luck...keep on. Psychiatry is the real mess up. Philosophy is natural...,it tends to lead to a complete picture for each person,and....what they ponder?