PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY AND SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

Abstract

The resurgence of practical philosophy can be seen as a contemporary attempt to bridge the apparent gap between philosophy and spirituality. Philosophy, in its search for wisdom, misses its primary goal since the theoretical solutions do not lead to the transformation of philosophers’ lives. This article offers a view of the resurgence of practical philosophy in the first chapter and, in the second, the connection of practical philosophy with spiritual exercises, presented in Pierre Hadot’s writing. The underlying
assumption, in both practical philosophy and in Pierre Hadot’s reflection, is a desire of the philosopher to engage in something life-transforming. The authenticity of the transformation depends on one’s willingness to transcend their initial subjective position.
The third chapter refers to Socrates as the eminent teacher of dialogue, presented as a spiritual and intellectual journey of transformation. Socrates’ dialogical method remains the inspiring paradigm, adopted by many scholars of philosophy and spirituality in search of wisdom, which has to be theoretical, practical, and spiritual.