Practical philosophy

This article is about practical philosophy in general. For the Gilles Deleuze's book Spinoza: Practical Philosophy, see Spinoza: Practical Philosophy.

Practical philosophy concerns itself mainly with subjects that have applications in life, like the study of values, norms, politics, art, etc.^[1] The modern division of philosophy into theoretical philosophy and practical philosophy^[2][3] has its origin in Aristotle's categories of natural and moral philosophy.^[4] The one has theory for its object and the other practice.^[2]

Subjects of practical philosophy

Examples of practical philosophy subjects are:

• Ethics
• Aesthetics
• Decision theory
• Political philosophy

Philosophical counseling

Main article: Philosophical counseling

Practical philosophy is also the use of philosophy and philosophical techniques in everyday life. This can take a number of forms including reflective practice, personal philosophical thinking, and philosophical counseling.

Examples of philosophical counseling subjects include:

• Philosophical counseling
• Philosophy of education
• Philosophy of law
• Philosophy of religion
• Philosophy of history
• Philosophy of social science
• Value theory
• Reflective practice

University education

In Sweden^[5] and Finland courses in theoretical and practical philosophy are taught separately, and are separate degrees. Other countries may use a similar scheme—some Scottish universities, for example, divide philosophy into logic, metaphysics, and ethics—but in most universities around the world philosophy is taught as a single subject. There is also a unified philosophy subject in some Swedish universities, such as Södertörns Högskola.

See also

• Applied philosophy