Philosophical Careas Medicine for The Soul

Jeanette B. L. Knox

• Philosophy as an academic discipline

• Philosophy as a way of life

”Empty is that philosopher’s argument by

which no human suffering is therapeutically

treated. For just as there is no use in a

medical art that does not cast out the

sicknesses of bodies, so too there is no use in

philosophy, unless it casts out the suffering of

the soul.” EpicurusIn US. 221 = Porph. Ad Marc. 31, p. 209, 23 N: see chapter 4 ”Philosophy is an activity that secures the

flourishing life by arguments and

reasonings.” EpicurusIn Sextus M 11.169 = Us. 219

• Non-clinical

• Non-psychopathological

• Non-dogmatic

Philosophical Care

Project – The Danish Cancer Society

• 6 dialogue groups

• 33 participants (26 women; 7 men)

• Different patient groups

• Ages between 35-75

• Rehabilitation or chronically ill

General Rules1. No name-dropping

2. No reference to theories or studies

3. Willingness to postpone one’s judgment

4. Willingness to revise one's opinions

5. The aim is not to a find an answer or a

solution

6. Dialogue, not monologue or discussion

The Socratic Dialogue Group

The Socratic Dialogue Group

1. A philosophical question is selected by the

participants

2. Each participant tells his/her story illustrating the

question

3. The story that best illustrates the question is chosen

and is retold in detail

4. Where in the story is our question best illustrated

and why

5. Can the other stories contribute to illustrating our

question; if so, how and why

6. Preliminary statements and definition of question

7. Does our question generate other questions; if so,

which ones

Responses - Examples”You are encouraged/driven me to think in depth

and put my thoughts into words. You are trained

to cut off all the irrelevant stuff and sharpen your

attention towards the essential things in life.”

”It has launched many constructive thoughts in

my head, particularly in relation to the topic we

chose. Thoughts that I try to incorporate in my

every day life. It is enriching to be able to

experience that we can philosophize at a high

level together.”

1. Collective introspection

2. Distance

3. Community

4. Focus

General Picture so far