Course Catalog

Philosophy in Everyday Life: The Relevance of Reflection, Contemplation and Critical Thought

For ancient Greeks, Philosophy was a way of examining and living their lives. Is this still relevant for our fast-paced, media-infused contemporary lives? How can we apply philosophical principles and practices today? This course examines the practice of philosophy as a ‘way of life.’ To examine this concept, the lectures will present and discuss various aspects of this idea, and what it means historically and at the present time. For the ancient Greeks, philosophy (philosophia) ‘love of wisdom,’ presents an art of living, which begins with a simple question: ‘How should one live?’ This question is broad in scope and depth, as it covers all aspects of human life including social, ethical, and political life. The practice of philosophy as a ‘way of life’ has spiritual (in a social and political sense) and transformative aspects. It implies one seeks wisdom by certain exercises to transform oneself, by using reason and rationality in one’s life by being engaged in philosophical discourse. However, philosophical discourse without concrete practices does not lead to a spiritual and transformative life. The practice of philosophy as a ‘way of life’ involves paying attention to one’s everyday conduct, which implies self-mastery and self-consciousness, as paying attention to oneself as well as others. It means ‘cultivation of the self’ or ‘care of the self’ and this ‘cultivation of the self’ has social, ethical, and political aspects. The practice of ‘care of the self’ and transforming oneself involves caring for others and being engaged in social and political activities in the world. The lectures will examine these ideas by presenting research materials on these concepts.

This class is not available at this time.

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