On philosophy as a spiritual exercise : a symposium / edited by Philip Goodchild.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Goodchild, Philip, 1965- editor.

Series:

Radical theologies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Philosophy and religion.

Spirituality.

Genre:

Conference papers and proceedings.

Physical Description:

xviii, 186 pages ; 23 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.

Summary:

What if modern reason empowers us only at the cost of impoverishing thought? What if an ancient practice of philosophy could be rediscovered as a way of living? in a rural retreat in northern England, nine philosophers held regular meetings to discuss the nature of philosophy as a way of life. Posing a formidable challenge to the dominance of objective reasoning, they sought to build together a conception and practice of reasoning that is deeply engaged with the meaning of life, with dialogue, and with self-transformation. Here, as spokesman for this group, Philip Goodchild offers his readers insight into these symposia. Eschewing convention, these essays offer profound meditations on the meaning of life, reason, inwardness, virtue, love, and God. Echoing Plato, Kierkegaard, and Weil, this bold yet imperfect struggle for authenticity performs philosophy as a spiritual exercise, effects a new critique of pure reason, and changes what it means to think today. Like Socrates himself, this book offers a challenge to all. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Thinking and Life: The Speech of Phaedrus 1

2 Ends and Illusions: The Speech of Pausanias 23

3 Hypocrisy: The Speech of Eryximachus 47

4 Disposirions and Interests: The Speech of Aristophanes 67

5 Mutual Attention: The Speech of Agathon 89

6 Death and Love: The Speech at Socrates 107

7 Conclusion: Alcibiades's Confession 141.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781137355768

113735576X

OCLC:

854285383