Bhubaneswar, Nov 20: Buddha once said, “However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?” The core message is — True spiritual progress and benefit are achieved through action, not passive recitation.

Today, on World Philosophy Day, we celebrate the pursuit of wisdom, critical thinking and the endless quest to understand ourselves and the world around us.

It’s an annual event celebrated on the third Thursday of November to highlight the importance of philosophy for human thought and culture.

Launched by UNESCO in 2002, World Philosophy Day is dedicated to promoting the global exchange of philosophical ideas and highlighting their vital role in shaping human thought, culture, and development.

This day is celebrated through a variety of events like debates, lectures, workshops, and cultural activities, often organised by academic institutions, government bodies and cultural groups in collaboration with UNESCO.

Each year, World Philosophy Day adopts a new theme that reflects urgent challenges and aspirations for humanity.

And, this year's theme… it’s — "Philosophy's role in good governance and sustainable development with specific discussions on artificial intelligence, ethics and digital responsibility”.

In today’s digital age, philosophy faces complex challenges as technology has reshaped the way we live, think and interact. The rise of artificial intelligence, social media and virtual reality has sparked profound questions about identity, ethics, and truth.

Philosophers now ask how digital platforms shape our understanding of reality. And at the same time, our personal identities are tightly linked to online identity, raising questions about authenticity.

The digital world also affects human relationships, attention and freedom, challenging traditional beliefs and ideas of morality and choice.

In these circumstances, philosophy helps us reflect critically on the opportunities and risks of technology, guiding humanity to navigate the digital era with wisdom, responsibility, and awareness.

(Compiled by: Aditi Majhi)