Změnit sám sebe – Hladký Vojtěch (2011)

Pierre Hadot (1922-2010), Michel Foucault (1926-1984), and Jan Patočka (1907-1977) are three undoubtedly very different philosophers whose intellectual paths unexpectedly intersected in the second half of the 20th century, sometimes to their own surprise. Their concepts of spiritual exercises, self-care, and care for the soul are three ways to grasp the inner transformation of oneself. This transformation sometimes takes on an existential form and has traditionally been a theme primarily of ancient philosophy, but it is not limited to it. Likewise - albeit sometimes paradoxically due to their absence - the mentioned concepts have something to say about medieval, modern, and contemporary understandings of oneself. At the same time, they open the way for further possible reflections at the intersection of various philosophies and worldviews. Vojtěch Hladký (born 1978), a philosopher and Hellenist, works at the Department of Philosophy and History of Natural Sciences at the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague. He focuses primarily on Greek, Renaissance, and occasionally contemporary thought.