The love of wisdom and the cultivation of human flourishing: toward a science of philosophical practice

The ancients devoted considerable attention to the practical value of philosophy for living life well. Today, however, philosophy has largely become an academic discipline. There is growing interest in restoring its practical emphasis, but little is known empirically about the relationship between philosophical practice and human flourishing. The present study explores its impact on emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social aspects of life. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 philosophy practitioners, including professors, philosophical counselors, students, and enthusiasts. Key findings include reports of increased emotional resilience, enhanced analytical thinking, improvements in mindfulness and ethical decision-making, and greater nuances in communication. The findings suggest that philosophical practice can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal development and flourishing, challenging the notion of philosophy as a purely theoretical pursuit. This study marks a starting point for further exploration into philosophy practice's potential to enhance individual and collective human flourishing.