"So much of social media today is just toxic - hot takes, rage posts, and all that kind of stuff - but aphorisms from their beginning, 5,000 years ago in China and Egypt, were mostly philosophical thoughts. They're often witty and are a very sophisticated form of literature that, unlike so much social media today, is not intended to confirm the opinions you already have, but to challenge and provoke you to think further and deeper."
"A key component of an aphorism is that it has to be philosophical; it has to make you think. And I don't mean that it has to be esoteric or impenetrable, but about the ultimate questions in life. Aphorisms help us to examine our own beliefs, practices, and our own biases. They're kind of a philosophy for daily life. Unlike political or commercial slogans or tweets, aphorisms provide answers to that old philosophical question of how to live a good life."
Aphorisms originated around 5,000 years ago in China and Egypt and remain highly relevant in short-form communication. They are concise, philosophical statements that provoke reflection on ultimate questions and daily living. Aphorisms are witty and accessible, intended to challenge assumptions rather than confirm existing opinions. They encourage examination of beliefs, practices, and biases and function as a philosophy for everyday life. Contemporary social platforms often prioritize hot takes and rage posts, yet aphorisms can counterbalance that tendency by offering thoughtful brevity, and modern memes can operate as contemporary aphoristic expressions.
Read at Harvard Gazette
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