Philosophia
The Guggenheim Grotto Lyrics
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When we're young we set our hearts upon some beautiful idea
Maybe something from a holy book or French philosophia
Upon the thoughts of better men than us we swear by and decree a
Perfect way to end the war of ways the only way to be a…
Work of art, oh to be a work of art
But in time a thought comes tugging on the sleeve edge of our minds
Perhaps no perfect way exists at all, just many different kinds
Oh but if it's just a thing of taste then everything unwinds
For without an absolute how can the absolute define…
A work of art, oh to be a work of art
The Guggenheim Grotto's song "Philosophia" addresses the concept of finding meaning and purpose in life. The beginning of the song sets the scene with the idea of young people being drawn to the pursuit of a beautiful idea, whether it be from a holy book or from French philosophy. They cling to these ideas as a way to end the struggles of life and find a perfect way to live. The chorus expresses the hope of becoming a work of art, which can mean finding a sense of fulfillment and purpose in one's life.
However, as time goes on, doubts and questions emerge. The idea that there is one perfect way to live may not be true, and there may just be many different ways. This realization is disconcerting because if there is no absolute, how can we define what makes a work of art? The song examines the conflict between the desire to find a clear path to follow and the realization that life is not so straightforward.
"Philosophia" encourages the listener to consider the meaning of life from a philosophical perspective. It suggests that even though the search may be challenging and perhaps never-ending, it is still valuable to ask questions and seek answers. Ultimately, the song promotes the idea that finding meaning in life is a journey worth taking.
Line by Line Meaning
When we're young we set our hearts upon some beautiful idea
As children, we cling to a beautiful idea to guide us through life
Maybe something from a holy book or French philosophia
This idea could come from a holy text or from French philosophy
Upon the thoughts of better men than us we swear by and decree a
We swear by and adopt the ideas of wiser men to shape our beliefs
Perfect way to end the war of ways the only way to be a…
This perfect way is seen as the only solution to end discord
Work of art, oh to be a work of art
It's like we are creating ourselves as a form of art
But in time a thought comes tugging on the sleeve edge of our minds
As we mature, new ideas begin to challenge our previous beliefs
Perhaps no perfect way exists at all, just many different kinds
It's possible that there isn't a single perfect solution, but many options to choose from
Oh but if it's just a thing of taste then everything unwinds
However, if it's just a matter of personal preference, then everything falls apart
For without an absolute how can the absolute define…
If there is no absolute truth, then how can we define what is truly 'perfect'
A work of art, oh to be a work of art
Our own existence and beliefs are constantly evolving - like a work of art
Contributed by Katherine F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.