I recently re-read a book called ‘Sophie’s World’ by Jostein Gaarder, and one of the key messages throughout the text got me thinking.

For those of you silly enough not to have already picked up a copy of ‘Sophie’s World’, it’s a novel by a Norwegian author that explores the fundamentals of philosophy in an openly accessible way. Where traditional texts can make ideas seem mundane and dry, ‘Sophie’s World’ hooks you in and creates an atmosphere of intrigue and natural enquiry for the reader whilst still maintaining a respected, academic quality. It’s a brilliant introduction to all of the big ideas and questions that shape our world – whether we accept or observe them or not.

The key message that I’m talking about from ‘Sophie’s World’ is concerned with individuals. Throughout the novel, Gaarder points out that the majority of people go through life without exploring the natural human tendency to ask sometimes unanswerable philosophical questions – in fact, they often openly avoid them.

But everyone has the power to ask why things are the way they are, and whether it’s right for them to be that way. Whatever your interests – the arts, humanities, sciences – philosophical enquiry is completely relevant and quite innate for all people. Every person can make a difference in some way just by understanding and questioning whether or not things are right, just, still relevant in society.

Look at the leading figures of major movements of different kinds over the last few decades – Martin Luther King, John Lennon, even Barack Obama. All it really takes to make a difference and to unite people behind ideals worth believing in is thought, belief and passion. It’s possible for every single person, whatever their circumstances.

So tell me, what will you do? What will you question? How will you make a difference?