Philosophical Practice: Transformative Reflection on Life – serie

Language around trauma, anxiety, and burnout is pervasive in our current climate, where it seems like we need superhuman powers just to make it through the day. This book argues that the expectations and living conditions of our society are uniquely destabilizing, producing a "e;techno-precarious performance self"e; that markets itself as a product, gets addicted to almost anything, and drives itself to exhaustion. Navigating our way out of this zero-sum game, Ross Channing Reed maintains, will require nothing less than an exploration of our beliefs, values, goals, and the very meanings we attach to life itself. The dismantling of "e;techno-precarious performance society,"e; a society rooted in systemic precarity and philosophical nihilism, is absolutely necessary to effectively address our epidemic of trauma and addiction.

How can the arts enrich philosophical practice and help us better investigate the complexities of human existence?This interdisciplinary edited collection delves into the interplay between philosophy and the arts, showcasing how their combination can inspire new ways of thinking, connecting, reflecting, imagining, and understanding. By discussing ways in which art forms—literature, music, drama, visual arts, and more—and arts-based methods can be integrated into philosophical practice, the book reveals how abstract ideas can be made tangible, and dense philosophical concepts can be expressed in accessible and profound ways. In the continual process of human self-examination, the arts have played and still play an important role as reflective, embodied practices in what it means to lead a human life, what it means to be a human being, and how humans relate to each other. Though the arts can be a mere distraction, they can equally engage the human mind and body in pondering the existential paradoxes and puzzles of being. The arts and philosophy share a mutual aim: to question life’s fundamental aspects without proposing final answers, embracing creativity, openness, and exploration. From discussing values and virtues to addressing human vulnerabilities, this book, edited by Jeanette Bresson Ladegaard Knox, illustrates how philosophical practice becomes vibrant and impactful when it engages with the emotional and sensory world of the arts. Through theoretical insights, practical applications, and creative interventions, it illuminates how the arts and philosophy can jointly enhance professional fields and contribute to the art of living.