I was a cub scout. A bizarre confession to begin this article with I know, but if you bear with me, there is a point. I once went on an overnight scouting trip at a local state park. On the trip we went for a night hike.' It was nothing more then a simple 20 minute walk, but something always stuck with me from that experience was looking at the sky. We were a mere 10 minutes out side of town, but being a state park in a wooded area there were far fewer lights. We were instructed to look around and it was dark, we were then told to look towards town. Over the tree line we could see the soft glow of peach colored light. That is the best example I have ever seen of light pollution.
In this modern world many of us live in cities and suburbs. Small towns are no longer that small. We have a lot of things to occupy our time and attention. This can be seen in our surroundings by well lit streets on neon, store fronts and street lamps. Our world keeps us focused on our world. When you think of any time you see the stars, it was most likely a special occasion, 9 times out of 10 I would bet a vacation. You were already out of work, focusing on things outside of your daily routine. Simply put you are open.
Now when you take a sight normally not seen and couple that with a relaxed/open state of mind and you have the optimal setting for pondering. Pondering, to me, is the basis of all philosophy. Really what is philosophy but the attempt to formulate answers to life's questions.
Looking at the stars, transforms consciousness. There is a sense of beauty and wonder. After that there is the realization of ones small place in the world and ultimately the universe. At once there is a mental dichotomy. By realizing how tiny both you and the world actually are grander thoughts begin to form. The meaning of existence, spirituality, how we got here, and the grand purpose of creation are all possible topics. However, in realizing how small humanity truly is, you can begin to ask questions on the state of the world; will there ever be peace, are we part of the planet, why do we treat each other the way we do? In thus philosophical discussions began.
In my experience philosophical discussions can happen at any time. What best aids them is a pitching out of your environment. You have to be either in a place of an atmosphere that allows you to think. This can be anywhere: outside at night, a place of worship, a bar or restaurant, a museum and so on, really where ever inquisitive thought can be fostered, for many of us that can happen while looking at the stars. That is why they spark philosophical discussions.