"The unexamined life is not worth living."
Socrates
For those of you who do not have a background in philosophy and are hearing the term ‘Philosophical Counseling’ for the first time, let me clarify:
It is not “an emerging field of practice”, however, it has been somewhat dormant and has often been reduced to mere academics or theory.
Lou Marinoff rightly says, “academic philosophy is a part that gets mistaken for the whole”, and I agree! Many classical philosophers believed that philosophy served as the ‘Medicine for the Soul.’
Philosophical counseling, as demonstrated by Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā, helped Arjuna realize the truth and fulfill his duty. Similarly, in Plato’s dialogues, Socrates introduced the concept to the people of Athens through his dialectical method, marking the beginning of moral philosophy in the West.
What is common in both?
1. Philosophy is seen as ‘A Way of Life.’
2. The counselor and counselee engage in a ‘Dialogue.’ Philosophical counselors do not deliver a monologue and are not “gurus” or doctors who preach or prescribe. The counselor can present different worldviews or philosophical principles, but it is through rational inquiry, introspection, and reflection that the counselee’s concerns are addressed.
However, it is important to understand that philosophical counseling is not the same as psychological counseling. While they are not contradictory, they differ in scope and practice. Both types of counselors maintain a non-judgmental approach, but philosophical counselors are not trained to diagnose or treat mental health conditions.
Instead, they facilitate reflection and maintain a non-pathologizing, collaborative and non-authoritative view towards the practice. Philosophical counseling does not focus on therapeutic treatment in the medical sense; it is supportive in a profound way. Typically, clients seek philosophical counseling for clarity on ethical dilemmas, moral/personal values, existential questions/questions related to life’s meaning and purpose or to engage in philosophical discourse.
People often struggle with complex life questions related to meaning, purpose, responsibility, or morality, and a philosophical counselor supports and enables them through philosophical engagement rather than psychological or medical interventions. In this relationship, both the counselor and the counselee (client) are engaged in a joint process of philosophical discovery.
1. Clients are active participants in the philosophical dialogue. They are encouraged to question their own assumptions, articulate their thoughts, and engage with the ideas introduced by the counselor.
2. Philosophical counseling requires clients to examine ethical dilemmas, existential concerns, or metaphysical questions. Being open to questioning long-held beliefs or considering new perspectives is central to the process.
3. It involves exploring one’s own beliefs, values, and life choices. The client must be willing to engage in deep self-reflection and critical thinking and work towards personal understanding and growth.
4. Ultimately, the goal is to make the client an autonomous decision-maker. The client is responsible for their own decisions. The counselor’s role is to facilitate reflection and exploration, but the client remains the autonomous agent in determining how they will integrate philosophical insights into their life.
The growing need for philosophical counseling was recognized by a few key figures who saw the potential for philosophy to address the complexities of modern life. Pioneers such as Pierre Grimes, Gerd Achenbach, Lou Marinoff, Ran Lahav, Lydia Amir, Vaughna Feary, Elliot Cohen, Regina L. Uliana, Ph,D., and Peter Raabe among others, pioneered the movement of philosophical counseling, contributing to the resurgence of life-oriented philosophy. I am honoured to count some of these distinguished individuals as my mentors. I am also deeply grateful to my professors at University of Delhi, who introduced me to this field and are actively working to establish it as a recognized profession in India.
