This collection of writings from Pierre Hadot (1992-2010) presents, for the first time, previously unreleased and in some cases untranslated materials from one of the world's most prominent classical philosophers and historians of thought.

As a passionate proponent of philosophy as a 'way of life' (most powerfully communicated in the life of Socrates), Pierre Hadot rejuvenated interest in the ancient philosophers and developed a philosophy based on their work which is peculiarly contemporary. His radical recasting of philosophy in the West was both provocative and substantial. Indeed, Michel Foucault cites Pierre Hadot as a major influence on his work.

This beautifully written, lucid collection of writings will not only be of interest to historians, classicists and philosophers but also those interested in nourishing, as Pierre Hadot himself might have put it, a 'spiritual life'.

Pierre Hadot was Professor Emeritus at the Collège de France. His books include Philosophy as a Way of Life (1995) and Plotinus (1998).

Matthew Sharpe teaches philosophy at Deakin University, Australia. He has written books on Albert Camus, Slavoj Zizek, critical theory and contemporary politics. He is presently working on a history of philosophy as a way of life in the West (Bloomsbury, 2019, with M. Ure).

Federico Testa is an Early Career Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Study at the University of Warwick. His current research focuses on Michel Foucault's politics of life, French contemporary philosophy and the revival of Hellenistic tradition within Modern and Contemporary philosophy.