HUAS25001 - Spiritual Exercises: Ancient and Medieval Practices for the Care of the Self

Course Description

What is philosophy and what is it for? Modern philosophers have often devoted themselves to posing and solving abstract and difficult theoretical questions. But their modern focus on theory differs from ancient and medieval philosophers for whom philosophy was primarily a practical matter. Recent philosophers have rediscovered ancient and medieval philosophy as a way of life: To living philosophically meant undertaking spiritual and thinking exercises to care for one's self. The ideas and practices of ancient and medieval spiritual exercises can be resources for us to borrow, combine, and experiment in our own practices today. This course will traces the evolving tradition of spiritual exercise from its Platonic roots, through Roman, Jewish, and Christian branches up to early modernity.