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  • About
    • About
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    • What is Philosophical Counseling?
    • What to Expect in a Workshop
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    • Philosophical Counseling with Monica
    • Counseling for Academics
    • Counseling for Gymnasts
    • Rates & Policies
  • Workshops
    • Workshops
    • Upcoming Workshops >
      • The Search for Meaning
      • Ethics & Sports
    • Past Workshops >
      • Crash Course in Ethics
      • Anger and Forgiveness
      • Nonviolent Communication
      • How to Live Philosophically
      • Buddhism
      • Buddhism in Action
      • Taoism
      • Existentialism
      • Feminism & Freedom
      • History of Sexuality
      • Ethics and Nature
      • Alienation
      • Alienation 2
      • William James: Meaning, Faith & Science
      • Philosophy of Dialogue
      • Roots of Democracy
      • Ethics of Authenticity
      • Color Conscious
  • Retreats
    • Retreats
    • Past Retreats >
      • Spring Retreats
      • Day Retreat
  • News/Blog
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How to Live Philosophically: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life
A Four-Workshop Series
Summer 2017

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The ancient Greeks thought of philosophy as much more than an intellectual exercise. It was a way of life. They believed that philosophy, literally "the love of wisdom," is something that takes root not only in one’s ways of thinking, but also in one’s daily habits of feeling, seeking, choosing, loving, creating, and interacting with others.

Without a coherent philosophy to guide one’s life, the observant Greeks noticed, a person can end up pursuing unhealthy goals, acting at cross-purposes, undermining their true desires, frustrated, easily manipulated by others, and suffering from a variety of anxieties. Philosophy, they thought, was a medicine for the soul. Each ancient philosophical school developed its own special remedy for overcoming soul-sicknesses, which could be discussed and practiced with others committed to improving their lives.


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So, how can philosophy lead to holistic health and happiness? What sorts of habits do we need to cultivate in ourselves to achieve the good life? How might we learn from the ancients how to live philosophically today?

Come with us, back to the beginning, as we journey through the insights of the most influential ancient Greek philosophers in order to learn a whole variety of answers to these questions. We’ll read some of the most important texts in philosophy, think critically about the ways of life presented in them, and begin to apply the insights that inspire us to our own lives.


Meet your workshop leader:

Monica Vilhauer, Ph.D. is a former college professor, an academic author, and founder of Curious Soul Philosophy.  She is committed to the practical value of philosophy, accessible language, and keeping a sense of humor at all times!

What to expect:

Is it your first time taking a workshop with Curious Soul Philosophy? Learn more about what to expect.

Register for one or more workshops:

  • Our  workshops (below) can be taken individually or as a series.
  • This series is the perfect introduction for anyone curious about how philosophy might help them lead a better life; it maps out the foundational commitments, activities, habits, and values of living philosophically.
  • Register for each workshop by clicking on the buy workshop buttons below and following instructions to use PayPal. Thanks!
Workshop One:
Socrates: Living the Examined Life


When:     Thursdays, June 1, 8, 15, 2017 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where:    Palio Dessert and Espresso House
                     1996 SE Ladd Ave., Portland, OR.


Topics:
  • Becoming aware of one’s own ignorance
  • Questioning popular values
  • Learning how to dialogue
  • Overcoming sophistry
  • Engaging in education as self-transformation

Readings from:
Plato’s Apology, Crito, Republic (Allegory of the Cave)


Price of the Workshop: $100

The Text to Purchase:
Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo by Plato, translated by G.M.A. Grube, Hackett Publishing Co.

I will email participants a pdf of the selection from Plato’s Republic, translated by Allan Bloom

Workshop Two:
Plato: Harnessing Desire


When: Thursdays, July 20, 27, Aug. 3, 2017 6:30-8:30
Where: Palio Dessert and Espresso House
                  1996 SE Ladd Ave., Portland, OR


Topics:
  • Examining desire
  • Identifying problematic forms of love
  • Self-control
  • Love’s creativity
  • Finding a friend in love

Readings from:
Plato’s Symposium,  Phaedrus (Socrates’ Second Speech)

Price of the Workshop:  $100

The Text to Purchase:

Plato on Love: Lysis, Symposium, Phaedrus, Alcibiades by Plato, edited by C.D.C Reeve, Hackett Publishing Co.




Workshop Three:
Aristotle: Building Healthy Habits


 - Cancelled -

Topics:
  • Examining the human good
  • Shooting for moderation in our passions and actions
  • Activating freedom and taking responsibilities for our habits
  • The importance of true friendship in our commitment to health

Readings from:
Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (Selections)

Price of the workshop: $100

The text to purchase:

Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle, translated by Martin Ostwald, Macmillan Publishing Co.

Workshop Four:
Stoics: Overcoming Anxiety


When: Saturdays Aug. 26, Sept. 2, 9,  2017 2:30-4:30
Where:
Palio Dessert and Espresso House
                  1996 SE Ladd Ave., Portland, OR

Topics:
  • Learning what you can and can’t control
  • Dealing with attachments and loss
  • Exercises for letting go
  • Finding peace and joy

Readings from:
Epictetus’ Enchiridion and
William Irvine’s A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy

Price of the workshop: $100

The text to purchase:
A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William Irvine, Oxford University Press


I will email participants a pdf of Epictetus’ Enchiridion.

Philosophical Counseling with Monica Vilhauer in the news:

Article about philosophical counseling in Oprah Magazine
Oprah Magazine
Article about philosophical counseling in VICE
VICE

What Our Clients Are Saying
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"Monica meets you on every level: She’ll readily engage with any abstract ideas you have about the world or the self, and analyze those ideas with you, but she also has a way of making you feel that she viscerally understands the difficulty of the situations you’re describing. When I talk to her, I have the feeling that I’m talking to someone who is very present, who is on my side, and who has also fought to be able to live her own life on her terms."
"Conversations with Monica feel non-hierarchical. She is working through the questions with you, not diagnosing you or analyzing you."
"I get the sense that philosophical counseling for Monica is an extension of who she is. These difficult topics are a part of her own life, and she is comfortable talking about what is uncomfortable."

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