Do you sometimes wonder what life is all about? Do you think that, if God does not exist, there might not be much meaning to life? What is the nature and importance of personal relationships? Should you live for others or for yourself?
These are all questions that there is little opportunity to explore in today’s busy world. With the decline of religion and the redirection of university education towards pragmatic goals, there are very few places where an individual can systematically ponder the eternal verities of life.
Sometimes described as ‘therapy for the sane’, Modern Socratic Life Coaching is a one-to-one opportunity for intellectually curious people to discuss life and its philosophical problems with a philosopher. Primarily educational in purpose, Modern Socratic Life Coaching gives everyone the opportunity to explore philosophical questions in depth with a highly skilled mentor. Use will be made of appropriate texts and of intensive structured discussion to focus upon whatever question you would like to explore.
Although this process is sometimes described as ‘philosophical counselling’ it is not in any way a form of psychotherapy. It is not designed to provide psychological assistance and our coaches are not trained to diagnose psychological problems or provide solutions for such specific problems as trauma, grief, or the breakdown of relationships. Psychotherapists and counsellors are trained to provide treatment for psychological problems so that you relate to them as a patient to their treatment. Modern Socratic Life Coaching, on the other hand, assumes that you are a capable and autonomous person with the innate ability to take rational control of your own life. Accordingly, our focus is intellectual. Our conviction is that you can cope better with life to the extent that you understand what is involved. Understanding leads to greater happiness. Whether it takes one session or several, an intensive discussion with a philosopher can deepen your life.
Modern Socratic Life Coaching develops the ideas of Alain de Botton in a way described here.
Dr Stan van Hooft has written an extensive review of the literature on philosophical counselling which you can access by clicking here.
Contact us if you would like to make an appointment for a session of Modern Socratic Life Coaching.
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