Philosophy as a Way of Life: Spiritual Exercises from Socrates to Foucault [Paperback]

Pierre Hadot (Author), Arnold Davidson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0631180338 | ISBN-13: 978-0631180333 | Edition: 1

This book presents a history of spiritual exercises from Socrates to early Christianity, an account of their decline in modern philosophy, and a discussion of the different conceptions of philosophy that have accompanied the trajectory and fate of the theory and practice of spiritual exercises. Hadot's book demonstrates the extent to which philosophy has been, and still is, above all else a way of seeing and of being in the world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hadot's essays exhibit impressive scholarship and a habit of profound reflection. This is not a book for the casual reader but it is an important publication and should be a required text for every student of philosophy, classics and the history of ideas, and for any serious teacher of these subjects." The Tablet

"Hadot's work is very engaging, knowledgeable, well written and insightful. I highly recommend this book for both general and professional readers." Richard S. Findler, Phil dept, Slippery Rock University for the History of European Ideas

"Recommended for upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty." H. L. Shapiro, University of Missouri for Choice

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (August 11, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631180338
• ISBN-13: 978-0631180333
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hadot's key, March 29, 2004

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"whateverhappenedtoprivacy" (Madison, Wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophy as a Way of Life: Spiritual Exercises from Socrates to Foucault (Paperback)

This collection of Hadot's essays is readable and useful. Michael Chase's translation of Hadot's French is clear and elegant and completely unobtrusive. The introduction by Arnold I. Davidson--while longer than some of the essays in the book--is indespensible. Hadot provides a key to reading some ancient authors, and this key enables us to see their writings as a form of philosophical practice, as spirital exercises. Hadot offers practical advice on how to read the Stoics, for example. Try reading the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius after Hadot and be the richer for it. Hadot also illuminates and critiques some modern thinkers as well.

The book has an index, a good bibliography, and each essay includes numerous notes. There is also an interesting interview [by Michael Chase, the translator] with Hadot in the postscript.

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly inspiring, August 23, 1998

By 

John Piazza - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophy as a Way of Life: Spiritual Exercises from Socrates to Foucault (Paperback)

All students of philosophy should get this book. It rekindles that spark which is the core of all philosophical investigation, and which, unfortunately, is too often stomped out by academia. Hadot takes us back to a time when philosophy, religion and spirituality were not separate, but one, and he shows us that philosophy can continue to provide its students with meaning.

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Postmodern Return to Philosophy, June 3, 1998

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[e-mail] (Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophy as a Way of Life: Spiritual Exercises from Socrates to Foucault (Paperback)

In this book, Pierre Hadot addresses the need for philosophy to return to the philo-sophy of the ancient writers (he places special emphasis on Socrates, Marcus Arelius, Epicurus and Epictetus). The book is well organized and clear to understand. Hadot does a good job with his citation of lots of ancient material, which allows the readers to read more of the original works that he cites. With a thorough bibliography and excellent endnotes, this book is a must-have for all philosophers interested in a)postmodern philosophy and b)ancient philosophy scholars.