{"title":"Pierre Hadot","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePierre Hadot\u003c\/strong\u003e explores philosophy not merely as an academic subject but as a transformative practice. His works invite readers into the ancient philosophical tradition, emphasising philosophy as a way of life and a path to inner freedom. Through texts like \u003cem\u003ePhilosophy as a Way of Life\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Inner Citadel\u003c\/em\u003e, Hadot reveals the spiritual and practical dimensions of thinkers such as Plotinus and Marcus Aurelius.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHadot’s thoughtful analyses bridge history, psychology, and ethical reflection, offering insights into how ancient philosophies remain relevant today. His writings encourage a deep engagement with classical thought, blending scholarly rigour with a contemplative approach to living well.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"philosophy-as-a-way-of-life","title":"Philosophy as a Way of Life","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePierre Hadot offers a thought-provoking journey through the rich landscape of ancient philosophy in \u003ci\u003ePhilosophy as a Way of Life\u003c\/i\u003e. This captivating work delves into the profound significance of spiritual exercises and their role in shaping the lives and thoughts of philosophers from Socrates to early Christianity. Without giving away spoilers, Hadot meticulously reconstructs the historical context around these exercises, showcasing how philosophy in antiquity was not merely an intellectual pursuit but a comprehensive approach to living a virtuous and meaningful life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs one of the most influential and wide-ranging historians of ancient philosophy today, Hadot's scholarship has left an indelible mark on contemporary French philosophy, notably influencing the work of Michel Foucault. He challenges readers to reconsider the conventional boundaries of philosophy by presenting it as an active, transformative practice rather than a purely theoretical discipline. By exploring the decline of these ancient practices in modern philosophy, Hadot invites a redefinition of philosophical engagement, urging a return to the roots where philosophy was intertwined with the art of living.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003ePhilosophy as a Way of Life\u003c\/i\u003e, Hadot provides an insightful account of spiritual exercises, exploring their evolution and the varying interpretations that have accompanied their journey through history. He illustrates how these exercises served as essential tools for philosophers to cultivate moral and intellectual growth, aiming to align their lives with philosophical principles. The book unpacks different conceptions of philosophy that have emerged over time, tracing the trajectory from ancient practices to their decline and proposing how we might reintegrate these valuable exercises into modern contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHadot’s profound analysis demonstrates that philosophy has always been a holistic endeavour—an active way of seeing and being in the world. This work not only offers a historical reflection but also provides practical insights for readers seeking to live philosophically in today's complex world. It challenges us to adopt a philosophical life as a continuous exercise in personal and moral development, fundamentally altering how we perceive and engage with the world around us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEngaging, scholarly, and deeply reflective, \u003ci\u003ePhilosophy as a Way of Life\u003c\/i\u003e is an essential read for anyone interested in the enduring relevance of ancient philosophical practices and their application to contemporary life. Hadot’s work is a timeless reminder of the power of philosophy as a transformative force, capable of guiding us towards a more considered and fulfilling existence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Wiley and Sons Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45763161882860,"sku":"9780631180333","price":85.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780631180333.jpg?v=1727091211"},{"product_id":"the-inner-citadel","title":"The Inner Citadel","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Inner Citadel\u003c\/i\u003e by Pierre Hadot is a profound exploration of one of the most celebrated texts of antiquity, \u003ci\u003eThe Meditations of Marcus Aurelius\u003c\/i\u003e. This book delves into the philosophies and reflections of the Roman emperor, who wrote his contemplations as a guide for his own moral and spiritual self-improvement. Marcus Aurelius's introspections are invaluable to anyone interested in ancient philosophy and Stoicism, providing timeless wisdom on how to live a virtuous and meaningful life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePierre Hadot, a revered historian of ancient thought, meticulously uncovers the depth and complexity beneath the seemingly straightforward style of the Meditations. Written initially for his own guidance, Marcus Aurelius's \u003ci\u003eMeditations\u003c\/i\u003e presents principles for leading a life governed by reason and virtue. Hadot's analysis reveals the hidden layers and the intricate conceptual system that supports these principles, offering readers a deeper understanding of Marcus Aurelius's philosophical underpinnings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHadot's work is enriched with abundant quotations from the Meditations, allowing readers to hear directly from the emperor-philosopher. He explores the philosophical influences that shaped Marcus Aurelius’s thinking, paying particular attention to the works of Epictetus, whose Stoic teachings significantly impacted the emperor. Through Hadot’s detailed commentary, the philosophical context in which Marcus Aurelius wrote is brought to life, illustrating the connections between his thoughts and the broader Stoic tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCentral to Marcus Aurelius’s philosophy is the concept of the soul as the \"inner citadel,\" a bastion of inner freedom and resilience. Hadot’s engaging study of this concept illuminates the Stoic idea of an inviolable core of personal integrity and autonomy. His book provides a comprehensive picture of Marcus Aurelius as not only an emperor but also a devoted philosopher, offering readers a richer understanding of his life and the ideas he cherished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMoreover, Hadot’s expertise, accumulated over more than twenty years of studying Marcus Aurelius, ensures that \u003ci\u003eThe Inner Citadel\u003c\/i\u003e is both insightful and accessible to the general reader. His lucid prose distils complex philosophical doctrines into clear and engaging explanations, making this work an essential resource for anyone interested in Stoicism, ancient philosophy, or Roman history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Inner Citadel\u003c\/i\u003e, Pierre Hadot presents a spirited and erudite exploration of the philosophical insights of Marcus Aurelius. It is a must-read for those who wish to deepen their understanding of Stoic philosophy and its enduring influence on the human quest for wisdom and ethical living.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Gardners Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45763349184748,"sku":"9780674007079","price":75.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780674007079.jpg?v=1727092936"},{"product_id":"dont-forget-to-live-by-pierre-hadot-9780226497167","title":"Don't Forget to Live","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe esteemed French philosopher Pierre Hadot’s final work, now available in English. With a foreword by Arnold I. Davidson and Daniele Lorenzini.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn his final book, renowned philosopher Pierre Hadot explores Goethe’s relationship with ancient spiritual exercises—transformative acts of intellect, imagination, or will. Goethe sought both an intense experience of the present moment as well as a kind of cosmic consciousness, both of which are rooted in ancient philosophical practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese practices shaped Goethe’s audacious contrast to the traditional maxim \u003ci\u003ememento mori\u003c\/i\u003e (Don’t forget that you will die) with the aim of transforming our ordinary consciousness. Ultimately, Hadot reveals how Goethe cultivated a deep love for life that brings to the forefront a new maxim: \u003ci\u003eDon’t Forget to Live\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000596578540,"sku":"9780226497167","price":52.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/17199953482268.jpg?v=1763288180"},{"product_id":"the-selected-writings-of-pierre-hadot-by-pierre-hadot-9781474272995","title":"The Selected Writings of Pierre Hadot","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection of writings from Pierre Hadot (1992-2010) presents, for the first time, previously unreleased and, in some cases, untranslated materials from one of the world's most prominent classical philosophers and historians of thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs a passionate proponent of philosophy as a \u003cem\u003e'way of life'\u003c\/em\u003e (most powerfully communicated in the life of Socrates), Pierre Hadot rejuvenated interest in the ancient philosophers and developed a philosophy based on their work which is peculiarly contemporary. His radical recasting of philosophy in the West was both provocative and substantial. Indeed, Michel Foucault cites Pierre Hadot as a major influence on his work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautifully written, lucid collection of writings will not only be of interest to historians, classicists, and philosophers but also to those interested in nourishing, as Pierre Hadot himself might have put it, a \u003cem\u003e'spiritual life'\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000816746732,"sku":"9781474272995","price":60.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/24867473482712.jpg?v=1763306968"},{"product_id":"what-is-ancient-philosophy-by-pierre-hadot-9780674013735","title":"What Is Ancient Philosophy?","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA magisterial \u003ci\u003emappa mundi\u003c\/i\u003e of the terrain that Pierre Hadot has so productively worked for decades, this ambitious work revises our view of ancient philosophy—and in doing so, proposes that we change the way we see philosophy itself. Hadot takes ancient philosophy out of its customary realm of names, dates, and arid abstractions and plants it squarely in the thick of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough a meticulous historical reading, he shows how the various schools, trends, and ideas of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy all tended toward one goal: to provide a means for achieving happiness in this life, by transforming the individual's mode of perceiving and being in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost pressing for Hadot is the question of how the ancients conceived of philosophy. He argues in great detail, systematically covering the ideas of the earliest Greek thinkers, Hellenistic philosophy, and late antiquity, that ancient philosophers were concerned not just to develop philosophical theories, but to practice philosophy as a way of life—a way of life to be suggested, illuminated, and justified by their philosophical \"discourse.\" For the ancients, philosophical theory and the philosophical way of life were inseparably linked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWhat Is Ancient Philosophy?\u003c\/i\u003e also explains why this connection broke down, most conspicuously in the case of academic, professional philosophers, especially under the influence of Christianity. Finally, Hadot turns to the question of whether and how this connection might be reestablished. Even as it brings ancient thoughts and thinkers to life, this invigorating work provides direction for those who wish to improve their lives by means of genuine philosophical thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47487760957676,"sku":"9780674013735","price":75.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/97998f2258dcf3d2df8a3c71b8d39065.jpg?v=1775769131"},{"product_id":"plotinus-or-the-simplicity-of-vision-by-pierre-hadot-9780226311944","title":"Plotinus or the Simplicity of Vision","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince its original publication in France in 1963, Pierre Hadot's lively philosophical portrait of Plotinus remains the preeminent introduction to the man and his thought. Michael Chase's lucid translation—complete with a useful chronology and analytical bibliography—at last makes this book available to the English-speaking world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHadot carefully examines Plotinus's views on the self, existence, love, virtue, gentleness, and solitude. He shows that Plotinus, like other philosophers of his day, believed that Plato and Aristotle had already articulated the essential truths; for him, the purpose of practicing philosophy was not to profess new truths but to engage in spiritual exercises so as to live philosophically. Seen in this light, Plotinus's counsel against fixation on the body and all earthly matters stemmed not from disgust or fear, but rather from his awareness of the negative effect that bodily preoccupation and material concern could have on spiritual exercises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePlotinus or the Simplicity of Vision\u003c\/i\u003e offers invaluable insight into the vision and philosophy of one of antiquity's most profound thinkers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47603078922476,"sku":"9780226311944","price":60.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780226311944-plotinus-or-the-simplicity-of-vision.jpg?v=1778055032"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/pierre-hadot.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}