How Can We Love Ourselves?

Finding some Aristotelian Self-love, or Philautia...

Dear Classical Wisdom Reader,

It’s perhaps one of the more... controversial versions of Love. 

You see, yesterday we outlined a few of the 30 odd words the ancient Greeks had for love. While some are certainly ingenious additions/clarifications of the term that would have resolved just about any Jane Austen novel, others seem less... helpful. 

Yes, dear reader, I'm talking about Philautia...or Self Love.

While at first this may appear self-indulgent, there are really two types of self-love, at least according to Aristotle. One is the unhealthy variety you may be thinking about, self obsession with a focus on personal fame, fortune and that sort of rot. It’s the one epitomized by mythical lake starers and worn by politicians, pop-stars and anyone prone to wanting to be on reality TV... 

Fortunately there is another type of self love, a healthier, more beautiful version, which aims to enhance your capacity to love.... this is the one to go for! 

In true Aristotelian fashion, philautia is considered best when practiced in moderation. In his Ethics, he writes that “All friendly feelings for others are an extension of a man’s feeling for himself. A man is his own best friend”.  Essentially, it’s the rule that, “you must love yourself before you can love others”.

So how can we increase our ability to love ourselves with the type of attention to the life of the mind that would make Aristotle (or indeed any of the Essential Greeks) proud? 

With a renewed dedication to the Classics, of course! 

To that end, we’ve made some Aristotelian Self-love, or Philautia, easier than ever. 

If you have been waiting for the right time, and missed our previous sale for the Book a 100 years in the making, then now is the moment to 'treat yo' self'... and enjoy our sale: 

Offer will last only a few days and then it will return to its usual price of $89. So please enjoy it at almost half off while you can! 

All the best, 

Anya Leonard

Founder and Director

Classical Wisdom