If we have to find the motive behind philosophical practice, we have to ask for the motive behind philosophy itself. One very nice definition, which I heard on YouTube, comes from the Brazilian philosopher Paulo Ghiraldelli Jr. He says, the aim of philosophy is “desbanalizar o banal”, which means something like “de-trivialize banal things”. This signifies for me, to remove the veil of habits and routines off the face of reality, to let us see again the strangeness and beauty of things, and – something which is also of high practical and ethical value – to avoid or dissolve metaphysical boredom, which may be one of the roots of evil in the world.

Joined with this sort of unveiling activity is the insight that some philosophers, like Aristoteles and Hegel, who are not usually mentioned in connection with philosophical practice, proudly proclaimed: What is the purpose of philosophy? Philosophy itself is the highest form of activity, of human practice.