In the spotlight: Ran Lahav
Who are you?
Ran Lahav (PhD in philosophy, MA in psychology). I entered philosophical practice in 1992 and was one of its pioneers. I initiated and co-organized the First International Conference on Philosophical Counseling (1994), taught the first university courses on philosophical counseling, published articles and books, and gave numerous presentations and workshops around the world. My main achievement is the development of Deep Philosophy – philosophizing from our inner depth. My Deep Philosophy School gives sessions of philosophical contemplation, and training programs of philosophical counseling.
What is the role of philosophical practice in society today?
In my view, the main role of PP is to help develop the individual’s inner depth, including qualities such as wisdom, self-understanding, contemplation, clarity, inspiration, and spirituality. In this respect I am emphasizing individual self-development, as opposed to social action or efficient functioning in society. Social action has its own importance, of course, but in my view philosophy is the guardian of the individual’s personal world.
What is the most important thing that philosophical practice has taught you?
I learned that contemplation on philosophical texts and ideas has the power to inspire us and develop our inner life. The history of Western philosophy contains inspiring treasures of wisdom, and when we reflect on them deeply, they can transform and develop us. These treasures are not always accessible to academic thinking, with its abstract intellectual discussions, yet philosophical practice can bring them to life.
If you could ask one question to a world leader of your choice, what would it be, and who would you ask?
I might ask any leader of any country: As much as you have done for the administration and security and economy of your country, what have you done to allow the spirit of human life to grow and flourish?
Which film, work of art, or piece of music do you consider the most philosophical, and why?
I find the novels of Iris Murdoch very philosophical. (Of course, she herself was a philosophy professor.) One great example is her novel “The Nice and the Good” which explores what it means to be deeply good, as opposed to superficially nice and pleasant. The deep meaning of the good is obviously an important philosophical topic, and Murdoch manages to go beyond superficial slogans and touch the mystery of goodness.
Final thoughts: Is there anything else you would like to share with the conference audience and those interested in philosophical practice?
I was a witness to the early stages of philosophical counseling in the 1990s, and I saw the early experimental ideas that appeared then, and that still dominate our field today. I believe that it is time for us to grow beyond those simple early beginnings and develop new, greater visions of life and of philosophy, deeper, more mature and daring, and true sources of inspiration. Let us try to go beyond superficial formulas and technical tricks, and seek broader horizons for philosophical practice.
"Philosophy is the guardian of the individual’s personal world."
