The Philosophical Adventure and the Delphic Imperative
I approach philosophical therapy or counseling according to the precept inscribed on the Temple of Delphi in ancient Athens gnothis seauton or know thyself. These words were adopted by Socrates as a life-long directive that shaped his philosophical outlook. I work from an existential standpoint, but I also draw from a wide range of ideas from the history of philosophy and literature. I draw from ancient philosophy including stoicism to more recent work in phenomenology, feminism, narrative hermeneutics, ecocriticism and critical theory.
(image above: Wolfgang Tillmans, Icestorm, 2016)
The Infinite Conversation
Philosophical therapy is neither clinically diagnostic nor is its goal to “improve brain functioning” or “behavior” (as stated on the American Psychological Association website). This also means that a visitor will approach philosophical counseling with different reasons and needs than what professional psychology entails. Philosophical practice is both much broader and draws from a deeper history, it provides a safe, open minded space to explore ideas, motivations, conflicts and desires, and it requires the courage to examine deeply held beliefs, and to critically consider what it is, or could mean to be a self in this world. Philosophical practice does not simply end in a 'cure' but rather teaches approaches to thinking and living that inform a lifelong practice. It is to build the foundation for an active mind. An analogy could be made with the active body, or somatic practice in the form of exercise or yoga. In that case too one is never ‘cured’ or simply finished.
The goal is the practice itself.
(image above: Hilma af Klint, The Ten Largest, No. 7, Adulthood, Group IV [The age of men] 1907)
What?
But the focus is not just on the isolated individual. It also involves social, historical, political, theological, material and ideational contexts, always keeping in mind that the self is relational and relationality is situated on many levels and dimensions. Philosophical practice or counseling will always involve active conversation which will often resort more or less to Socratic dialogue. A dialogue is a dialectic which gives a dynamic shape to the practice. This is an ancient approach that builds a way to a relation to the self through questioning the very roots of one’s assumptions and providing a path to achieve a new standpoint. Much like the experience of wandering through the wilderness, this issues both an ongoing and at times unexpected adventure.
In this sense philosophical counseling is radical.
(image: Albrecht Dürer, Melencolia I, 1514)
Sometimes a pedagogical element is introduced to the counseling, which draws from both past and contemporary works of philosophy or literature. I may suggest bibliotherapy which could including both reading philosophical texts or fragments and reflection through discussion, journaling, or visual art.
Make an appointment
I am available to meet on zoom or in person in the New York City area. We can also set up a time to meet at a cafe, museum or a park for a philosophical walk.
I work on a sliding scale but I do not take any form of insurance.
I typically arrange to meet for one hour but I am also available to meet for half hour sessions.
hannes@existential-crisis.org [landing image: Edvard Munch, Solenintro (1912) photographs: Hannes Charen]
Hannes Charen, Philosophical Practitioner
I have a PhD in Philosophy from the New School for Social Research in New York City and a Masters in Media, Art and Critical Thought from the European Graduate School where I studied with a global cohort in a residency in the alpine heights of Saas-Fee, Switzerland.
I am certified by the APPA in Philosophical Counseling.
I have been teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate level at various universities in the New York City area for the past ten years. I currently teach at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn where I have developed and taught classes on existentialism, death and dying, aesthetics, critical theory, film and culture, ancient/medieval philosophy.
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
- Friedrich Nietzsche
image: Hannah Höch, Russische Tanzerin, 1928