哲学思想使人们能够利用人类的理性和想象力考虑永恒的事物，并探索自己的瞬息万变的后果。美国作家琼·迪迪恩（Joan Didion）认为，我们为自己的故事讲故事。可以想象，个人危机会推动一个人深入研究以减少心理和情感动荡的指导哲学。另外，也许我们讲故事来检查，解释和证明我们的失败是合理的。
(Philosophic thoughts allow people to use human reason and imagination to consider eternal matters and explore the ramifications of their own transience. American author Joan Didion postulated that we tell ourselves stories in order to live. Conceivably a personal crisis propels a person to delve into creating a guiding philosophy for living with reduced mental and emotional turmoil. Alternatively, perhaps we tell stories to examine, explain, and justify our failures.)