Dialogue

Alice: Hey Bob, what are you doing? You look very serious today.

Bob: Alice! Oh, just… contemplating the vastness of existence.

Alice: (raising an eyebrow) “Contemplating”? Sounds like you’ve been watching too many nature documentaries. What deep thought is bothering your brilliant mind?

Bob: It’s not bothering! It’s pondering. I was wondering, what is the true meaning of a really good sandwich?

Alice: (laughs) Wow, straight to the big questions! That is philosophy, isn’t it?

Bob: Exactly! Philosophy is asking those big, fundamental questions. Like, why are we even here, buying sandwiches?

Alice: So, you’re a philosopher now? Should I call you Professor Bob the Sandwich Sage?

Bob: (grinning) Not professor, but yes, it’s about thinking about things we usually don’t bother with.

Alice: Like, “Why is my coffee always cold by the time I remember it exists?” Is that philosophy?

Bob: Well, the existence of cold coffee could be! But usually, it’s more about truth, knowledge, or… why we prefer certain cheeses.

Alice: So, it’s not just complaining about small, everyday things, it’s complaining about universal everyday things?

Bob: (chuckles) Sort of! It’s trying to understand the fundamental nature of… well, everything.

Alice: “Everything”? My everything right now is that my stomach is rumbling. Is there a philosophy for getting a sandwich faster?

Bob: (shrugs dramatically) Perhaps the ethics of queue jumping? But yes, it makes you think differently about everything around you.

Alice: Okay, Professor Bob. Let’s apply your philosophy to lunch. What is the existential crisis of a forgotten pickle?

Current Situation

Philosophy might sound like a very academic or difficult subject, but it’s actually something we all engage with, often without realizing it! In simple terms, philosophy is about asking fundamental questions about life, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. It’s not just about finding answers, but also about the process of questioning and critical thinking itself.

For beginners, understanding philosophy starts with recognizing that curiosity about “why” and “how” we live is a philosophical act. It encourages us to look beyond the obvious and think deeply about common experiences, helping us develop critical thinking skills that are useful in everyday life. So, next time you wonder about the meaning of your breakfast, you’re already doing philosophy!

Key Phrases

• thinking deeply: to think seriously and carefully about something.

  Example: I was thinking deeply about my career choices last night.

• bothering your mind: something causing you to worry or think a lot.

  Example: What’s bothering your mind? You seem quiet today.

• pondering: to think about something carefully for a period of time.

  Example: She spent the afternoon pondering the best solution to the problem.

• meaning of it all: the purpose or significance of life or a particular situation.

  Example: Sometimes, late at night, I wonder about the meaning of it all.

• big questions: important and fundamental questions about life or the world.

  Example: Children often ask surprisingly big questions about death and the universe.

• fundamental nature: the basic and essential quality or character of something.

  Example: The research aims to understand the fundamental nature of consciousness.

• makes you think differently: causes you to change your perspective or understanding.

  Example: Reading that book really makes you think differently about history.

• existence: the fact or state of living or having objective reality.

  Example: Scientists are searching for signs of alien existence on other planets.

Grammar Points

1. Present Simple (for general truths and habits)

We use the Present Simple to talk about things that are always true, facts, or regular habits.

• “Philosophy is asking those big questions.” (General truth)
• “It makes you think differently.” (General effect)
• “My stomach is rumbling.” (Current state/truth)

Structure: Subject + Verb (add -s/-es for he/she/it)

Example: The sun rises in the east. She always drinks coffee in the morning.

2. Wh-questions (What, Why)

We use Wh-questions to ask for specific information. Common Wh-words include What, Why, Where, When, Who, How.

• “What are you doing?” (Asks about an action)
• “What is the true meaning of…?” (Asks for definition/purpose)
• “Why are we even here?” (Asks for reason)

Structure: Wh-word + auxiliary verb (do/does/is/are/has/have) + subject + main verb?

Example: What do you like? Why is the sky blue?

3. Adjectives (to describe things)

Adjectives are words that describe nouns (people, places, things, ideas). They add more information about the noun.

• “You look very serious.” (Describes Bob’s appearance)
• “Your brilliant mind.” (Describes Alice’s mind)
• “Big questions.” (Describes the type of questions)
• “Fundamental nature.” (Describes the type of nature)

Adjectives usually come before the noun they describe (e.g., “a red car”) or after a linking verb like ‘be’, ‘seem’, ‘look’, ‘feel’ (e.g., “The car is red“).

Example: It was a beautiful day. The food tasted delicious.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the correct key phrase from the list below. (thinking deeply, bothering your mind, pondering, meaning of it all, big questions, fundamental nature, makes you think differently, existence)

1. He was _____ about what gift to buy for his mother.
2. That documentary about space really _____ about our place in the universe.
3. What’s _____? You seem a bit stressed.
4. The professor often discusses the _____ of time and space.
5. She spent the evening _____ her travel plans.

Exercise 2: Answer the Wh-Questions

Read the questions and provide a short, simple answer based on the dialogue or your understanding.

1. What does Bob like to do when he’s thinking deeply?
2. Why does Alice call Bob “Professor Bob the Sandwich Sage”?
3. What is one “big question” about everyday things mentioned by Alice?

Exercise 3: Make it Simple (Present Simple & Adjectives)

Rewrite the following sentences using the Present Simple tense and add a suitable adjective where indicated. Choose adjectives like ‘interesting’, ‘difficult’, ‘important’, ‘delicious’, ‘cold’, ‘funny’.

1. (The book) was about space. (Add an adjective for ‘book’)
2. (He) studies history. (Add an adjective for ‘history’)
3. (Life) is sometimes. (Add an adjective for ‘life’)
4. My coffee (is) . (Add an adjective for ‘coffee’)

Answers

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks – Answers

1. He was thinking deeply about what gift to buy for his mother.
2. That documentary about space really makes you think differently about our place in the universe.
3. What’s bothering your mind? You seem a bit stressed.
4. The professor often discusses the fundamental nature of time and space.
5. She spent the evening pondering her travel plans.

Exercise 2: Answer the Wh-Questions – Answers

1. Bob likes to contemplate the vastness of existence, or ponder big questions like the meaning of a good sandwich.
2. Alice playfully calls him that because he is trying to act like a philosopher, especially about food.
3. One big question Alice asks is: “Why is my coffee always cold by the time I remember it exists?” (Also acceptable: “What is the existential crisis of a forgotten pickle?”)

Exercise 3: Make it Simple (Present Simple & Adjectives) – Answers

1. The interesting book is about space. (Or: The book is interesting and is about space.)
2. He studies important history. (Or: He studies history, which is important.)
3. Life is sometimes difficult. (Or: Life is sometimes funny/interesting/etc.)
4. My coffee is cold. (Or: My coffee is delicious.)