How Great Philosophy is Created

I have noticed a misunderstanding regarding how great philosophy is created.

Great philosophy is created through suffering.

It is easy to think and assume that successful people are those we should listen to for philosophy. This is not exactly incorrect but why is it that successful people would be ones which create great philosophy?

Success can be attained in many different ways. Sometimes, pure grit and hard work bring one success. Sometimes, intelligent decision making bring one success. Sometimes, creativity brings one success. Sometimes, manipulation brings one success. Sometimes, pure luck and being in the right place at the right time, brings one success. There are many paths for success.

Regardless of how or if one finds success, the reason great philosophy may or not have been created in the process, is suffering. Suffering is how we learn. Suffering is how defense mechanisms are built. Suffering brings awareness and understanding. Suffering is not pleasant. The intentional infliction of unresolvable suffering, not out of self defense, is not ethical. Due to the inevitable entropy of life and communication, all forms of suffering are inevitable. None of this is justification for any suffering to occur, suffering is just inevitable. The reason successful people can potentially create great philosophy is because they have endured suffering of some form.

I found mild success as a teacher although I rarely did everything I was supposed to do which makes it difficult to say I was a highly successful teacher. I have never found much success otherwise and external success is not something I have particularly ever cared for. People rarely pay much attention to the philosophy of someone who has not found much success though so the future awareness of my philosophy is questionable.

The point I am making with this post is that great philosophy can be created regardless of if one ever finds any success within life. Success is completely and entirely irrelevant. What is important for the creation of great philosophy, is the endurance of suffering.