Al-Kindi’s Remedy for Sorrow: A Cognitive Path to Joy

Al-Kindi, the first self-identified philosopher in the Islamic tradition, offers a profound remedy for sorrow rooted in cognitive transformation. This method resonates with Stoic philosophy and parallels contemporary Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT). 

Known as "the Philosopher of the Arabs," Al-Kindi grounds his approach in clear-eyed recognition of life’s impermanence, asserting that clinging to the impossible—eternal possession of worldly things—breeds unnecessary anguish. His logic unfolds with elegant simplicity: 

“That which cannot endure forever in this world cannot be held forever. Thus, we should not desire what does not and cannot exist.”

The Revival of Philosophical Practice in Society

In recent decades, the role of philosophy in society has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once confined primarily to the halls of academia, philosophy is now experiencing a resurgence as a practical discipline that engages with everyday life. 

This shift returns to its historical roots, reminiscent of ancient Greece, where Socrates engaged in public dialogues in the Athenian marketplace, or ancient China, where Confucian and Daoist thought shaped social and ethical life.

A remarkable example of the global revival of philosophical practice was the recent APPA event featuring Xiaojun Ding, a pioneering Chinese practitioner and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Xi'an Jiaotong University, China. Lou Marinoff hosted the discussion for nearly two hours, leaving us speechless as we discovered the tremendous interest in philosophical counseling in China.