Pierre Hadot

Philosophy in Ancient Egypt

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It is commonly believed that the Egyptians did not have philosophy and that philosophy began with the ancient Greeks. However, some of the greatest Greek philosophers, including Thales, Pythagoras, and Plato, have stated that they owe much of their knowledge and ideas to the Egyptian sages. For example, Plato spent thirteen years studying under Egyptian … Read more

Gaius Musonius Rufus – Socrates Part I

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Consider this in your hearts: if you strive with difficulty for anything noble, the struggle passes, but the noble deed endures; if you do anything shameful for the sake of pleasure, the pleasure passes, but the shame remains. Although less known today, Gaius Musonius Rufus (circa 30 – circa 100 AD) forms, together with Epictetus, … Read more

Philosophical speech as a spiritual exercise

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Philosophical discourse as a spiritual exercise French philosopher Pierre Hadot is one of the most unusual figures in the French intellectual scene. Despite living in the 20th century, where the concept of philosophy has become detached from vitality and has become the subject of abstract academic discussions, he removes the label of uselessness from it … Read more