Is modern philosophy a hollow academic exercise that has forgotten its original therapeutic purpose?

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Pierre Hadot argued that ancient philosophy was never meant to be a mere intellectual pursuit. Instead, it was a series of spiritual exercises designed to transform the practitioner's life. By shifting our focus from abstract theory to lived experience, we might rediscover the true, practical power of philosophical thought.

Pierre Hadot, a French philosopher and historian, spent his career challenging the modern academic approach to philosophy. He contended that in Greco-Roman antiquity, philosophy was not a theoretical discourse to be studied in a classroom, but a way of life. Central to this were 'spiritual exercises'—deliberate practices aimed at modifying the subject's perception and being. These exercises, ranging from Stoic aphorisms to Socratic dialogue, were intended to help individuals transform their lives to better conform to nature and serve their communities.

Hadot’s work suggests that the modern university system has distorted this original, therapeutic impulse. He famously noted in 1994 that while there are many professors of philosophy today, there are few true philosophers. He pointed to figures like Henry David Thoreau, whose life at Walden exemplified the 'true philosopher' who lives his philosophy through simplicity in natural surroundings. For Hadot, the essence of philosophy lies in the living contact between human beings, rather than in written texts or lectures.

Throughout his life, Hadot translated and commented on works by Porphyry, Plotinus, and Marcus Aurelius, often assisted by his wife, Ilsetraut Hadot. He was also instrumental in introducing Ludwig Wittgenstein to France, noting that Wittgenstein’s view of philosophy as an 'illness of language' required a specific literary genre for a cure. Hadot’s influence extended to thinkers like Michel Foucault, who incorporated Hadot’s analysis of spiritual exercises into his own work. By rediscovering these ancient practices, Hadot sought to bring them back into modern conversation, arguing that they remain vital for nourishing both individual lives and modern society.

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