Not All Asceticism Is the Same

It is important to carefully distinguish between the Christian and later, modern use of the word ‘asceticism’ and the use of the phrase ‘askesis’ in ancient philosophy. For ancient philosophers, ‘askesis’ referred exclusively to spiritual exercises, that is, the internal activity of thought and will. The fact that some ancient philosophers, such as the Cynics or Neoplatonists, had dietary or sexual practices similar to Christian asceticism is another matter.

Pierre Hadot (1922–2010) was a French philosopher and historian of antiquity. He was also a priest for a time but renounced his clerical status in 1952.