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Philosophical Praxis

Origin, Relations, and Legacy

Gerd B. Achenbach - Translated by Michael Picard

Gerd B. Achenbach’s Philosophical Praxis: Origin, Relations, and Legacy, translated by Michael Picard, offers unique insights into the compelling origin and development of what has been called a renaissance of philosophy: a storied trove of thought steeped in tradition, character, and experience, and redeployed in the service of understanding the individual life. Throughout this book, the author explores Philosophical Praxis not only through the tumultuous history of philosophy, but also through psychology, religion, literature, and more. Achenbach’s tone is subtle, humorous, and constantly surprising, demonstrating his intimacy with an expansive spirit of life and leaving behind the narrowness of academic disciplines. As the founder of Philosophical Praxis, Achenbach dissects the challenges faced in current philosophy and psychology and, in doing so, surpasses academic philosophy to reveal the possibility of a new profession for philosophical practitioners seeking to resist the seductions of theory, methods, or solutions, and personify the seriousness of being human.

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Lexington Books
Pages: 210 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜
978-1-7936-5113-6 • Hardback • April 2024 • $105.00 • (£81.00)
978-1-7936-5114-3 • eBook • April 2024 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
Series: Philosophical Practice
Subjects: Philosophy / Methodology, Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Psychology / Psychotherapy / Counseling

Gerd B. Achenbach is chairman of the Society of Philosophical Praxis.

Michael Picard teaches philosophy at Douglas College in Vancouver, Canada.

Acknowledgments

Translator’s Note

Preface

Prelude

Chapter 1: Short Answer to the Question: What Is Philosophical Praxis?

Chapter 2: Philosophical Praxis Boast a Long Tradition, but No Paragon

Chapter 3: Philosophical Praxis Bears the Insignia of Lebenskönnerschaft

Chapter 4: Conversational Mastery

Chapter 5: The Ground-Rule of Philosophical Praxis

Chapter 6: On Beginnings

Chapter 7: Philosophy as a Profession

Chapter 8: Education and Philosophical Praxis: Søren Kierkegaard and the Question of Who Is a Philosophical Practitioner

Chapter 9: Philosophical Praxis and the Virtues

Chapter 10: What Matters? What Is Important in Truth? What Is Crucial in the End? Guiding Perspectives in Philosophical Praxis

Chapter 11: Character and Destiny: Philosophical Praxis Has Much to Learn from Schopenhauer

Chapter 12: Philosophical Praxis as an Alternative to Psychotherapy and Pastoral Care

Bibliography

About the Author and Translator

"Gerd Achenbach is one of the pioneers of philosophical practice. While his reputation precedes him and some of his works have been translated into English, Philosophical Praxis captures Achenbach’s unique, formidable character, philosophy, and spirit. Michael Picard has contributed an excellent service―a labor of love that comes through in his capturing of Achenbach’s style―in making this valuable contribution to philosophical practice available in English. This is a must read for anyone interested in philosophical practice!"


— Rick Repetti, Kingsborough Community College


"This collection of Gerd Achenbach's most important writings on Philosophical Practice is a much-awaited milestone in the history of this field. It's been more than forty years since Achenbach baptized Philosophical Practice and gave it a solid philosophical foundation—in German. In all these years, Philosophical Practice expanded worldwide and took many different forms, while Achenbach's incipit remained obscure to all those who could not read German. Through his excellent translation of Achenbach's texts into English (an almost impossible task requiring outstanding linguistic and philosophical skills), Michael Picard marks a turning point in this story and makes an invaluable gift to all those interested in and caring for Philosophical Practice."


— Donata Romizi, University of Vienna


"Achenbach at his best. Thoughtful, witty, and steeped in the European philosophical tradition, he takes us along as he reflects on the philosophical impulses underlying philosophical practice, on what needs it addresses, on what mastering it may be and require, and makes a compelling case for why it matters today. This choice selection of essays, long-awaited and masterfully translated, is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophical counseling and in the therapeutic significance of philosophical thinking more generally."


— Raja Rosenhagen, Ashoka University


Philosophical Praxis

Origin, Relations, and Legacy

Cover Image
Hardback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • Gerd B. Achenbach’s Philosophical Praxis: Origin, Relations, and Legacy, translated by Michael Picard, offers unique insights into the compelling origin and development of what has been called a renaissance of philosophy: a storied trove of thought steeped in tradition, character, and experience, and redeployed in the service of understanding the individual life. Throughout this book, the author explores Philosophical Praxis not only through the tumultuous history of philosophy, but also through psychology, religion, literature, and more. Achenbach’s tone is subtle, humorous, and constantly surprising, demonstrating his intimacy with an expansive spirit of life and leaving behind the narrowness of academic disciplines. As the founder of Philosophical Praxis, Achenbach dissects the challenges faced in current philosophy and psychology and, in doing so, surpasses academic philosophy to reveal the possibility of a new profession for philosophical practitioners seeking to resist the seductions of theory, methods, or solutions, and personify the seriousness of being human.

Details
Details
  • Lexington Books
    Pages: 210 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜
    978-1-7936-5113-6 • Hardback • April 2024 • $105.00 • (£81.00)
    978-1-7936-5114-3 • eBook • April 2024 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
    Series: Philosophical Practice
    Subjects: Philosophy / Methodology, Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Psychology / Psychotherapy / Counseling
Author
Author
  • Gerd B. Achenbach is chairman of the Society of Philosophical Praxis.

    Michael Picard teaches philosophy at Douglas College in Vancouver, Canada.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Acknowledgments

    Translator’s Note

    Preface

    Prelude

    Chapter 1: Short Answer to the Question: What Is Philosophical Praxis?

    Chapter 2: Philosophical Praxis Boast a Long Tradition, but No Paragon

    Chapter 3: Philosophical Praxis Bears the Insignia of Lebenskönnerschaft

    Chapter 4: Conversational Mastery

    Chapter 5: The Ground-Rule of Philosophical Praxis

    Chapter 6: On Beginnings

    Chapter 7: Philosophy as a Profession

    Chapter 8: Education and Philosophical Praxis: Søren Kierkegaard and the Question of Who Is a Philosophical Practitioner

    Chapter 9: Philosophical Praxis and the Virtues

    Chapter 10: What Matters? What Is Important in Truth? What Is Crucial in the End? Guiding Perspectives in Philosophical Praxis

    Chapter 11: Character and Destiny: Philosophical Praxis Has Much to Learn from Schopenhauer

    Chapter 12: Philosophical Praxis as an Alternative to Psychotherapy and Pastoral Care

    Bibliography

    About the Author and Translator

Reviews
Reviews
  • "Gerd Achenbach is one of the pioneers of philosophical practice. While his reputation precedes him and some of his works have been translated into English, Philosophical Praxis captures Achenbach’s unique, formidable character, philosophy, and spirit. Michael Picard has contributed an excellent service―a labor of love that comes through in his capturing of Achenbach’s style―in making this valuable contribution to philosophical practice available in English. This is a must read for anyone interested in philosophical practice!"


    — Rick Repetti, Kingsborough Community College


    "This collection of Gerd Achenbach's most important writings on Philosophical Practice is a much-awaited milestone in the history of this field. It's been more than forty years since Achenbach baptized Philosophical Practice and gave it a solid philosophical foundation—in German. In all these years, Philosophical Practice expanded worldwide and took many different forms, while Achenbach's incipit remained obscure to all those who could not read German. Through his excellent translation of Achenbach's texts into English (an almost impossible task requiring outstanding linguistic and philosophical skills), Michael Picard marks a turning point in this story and makes an invaluable gift to all those interested in and caring for Philosophical Practice."


    — Donata Romizi, University of Vienna


    "Achenbach at his best. Thoughtful, witty, and steeped in the European philosophical tradition, he takes us along as he reflects on the philosophical impulses underlying philosophical practice, on what needs it addresses, on what mastering it may be and require, and makes a compelling case for why it matters today. This choice selection of essays, long-awaited and masterfully translated, is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophical counseling and in the therapeutic significance of philosophical thinking more generally."


    — Raja Rosenhagen, Ashoka University


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