The Art of Life: An Ancient Idea and Its Survival

Abstract

Teun Tieleman (UCLA / Utrecht University) surveys the history of the philosophical notion of the ‘art of life’, starting from its originator Socrates and his ancient successors down to its role among present-day philosophers. Apart from Socrates, special attention is given to the Stoics, Nietzsche and Foucault. The way in which the notion was (re)defined and functioned throughout the history of philosophy reveals an exceptionally fruitful interplay between continuity and originality.

Keywords

• Ancient ethics and everyday life
• Socrates
• Stoicism