Pierre Hadot\u27s Socrates or the challenge of the practicality of ancient philosophy

Promatrajući temeljnu misao francuskog filozofa Pierrea Hadota (1922. - 2010.) u svjetlu Heideggerova uvjerenja da ozbiljan mislilac može misliti samo jednu misao, jasno je što je Hadotova glavna ideja: antička filozofija u svojoj je biti usmjerena k praktičnoj svrsi, tj. oplemenjivanju (vlastita) života. Zato je antička filozofija u eminentnom smislu “skrb za sebe”. U tom smislu Sokrat se može smatrati paradigmom takva nastojanja. Štoviše, Hadot povezuje praktičnost antičke filozofije i s kršćanskim duhovnim vježbama. To je omogućeno utjecajem antičke metafizike na rano kršćanstvo. Imajući to u vidu, autor u dijalogu s Hadotom razmatra mogućnost obnove modernog razumijevanja filozofije i prevladavanja njezine krize. To je moguće upravo na tragu antičkog razumijevanja filozofije kao „skrbi za sebe“.Observing the basic thought of the French philosopher Pierre Hadot (1922-2010) in the light of Heidegger\u27s belief that a serious thinker can think only one thought, it is clear what Hadot\u27s main idea is: ancient philosophy is in its essence directed to practical purpose, i.e. ennobling (one\u27s own) life. That is why ancient philosophy in the eminent sense is "self-care." In this sense, Socrates can be considered a paradigm of such endeavors. Moreover, Hadot connects the practicality of ancient philosophy with Christian spiritual exercises. This was made possible by the influence of ancient metaphysics on early Christianity. With this in mind, the author in dialogue with Hadot considers the possibility of renewing a modern understanding of philosophy and overcoming its crisis. This is possible precisely in the wake of the ancient understanding of philosophy as "self-care"