Christopher Mastropietro

Story

When I studied philosophy as an undergraduate, I found that something was missing. It felt smaller than I expected. I was hungry for something existentially relevant and provocative. It was hard to find this in the academic context.

For a long time, I didn’t know what to make of this. I deferred postgraduate work. I settled into public policy and tried to develop a Socratic eye for my surrounding. I noticed the conflict between personal and public values, and the strain of trying to resolve normative confusion with legislative projects. I saw the imprint of life views, structures of belief that invisibly guided our thinking and decisions, often without the awareness of the decision-makers. As Plato observed, the dynamics of state were much like the states of individuals; we were living out patterns without calling them into question.

I collected these observations while continuing to write and study. I have a longstanding collaboration with Dr. John Vervaeke, which has produced a few books, articles and book chapters over the years (e.g. Zombies in Western Culture in 2017 and Awakening from the Meaning Crisis in 2024). My study draws back to Plato, but also to the existential tradition, especially where these interact with theology (like Paul Tillich) and depth psychology (like Carl Jung). My deepest affinity is for Kierkegaard – his use of Socratic irony, his idea of paradox, his grasp of the nature of the Self. I talked about much of this publicly in the YouTube series After Socrates.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve tried to practice what I found missing all those years ago. I’ve helped teach and refine contemplative practices (see Awaken to Meaning), and I am pursuing philosophical counseling certification with Ran Lahav’s Deep Philosophy school. Socratic Counseling is a culmination of these explorations, a vision of what philosophy can be when it lives in service of the person, and the deepest projects of life.

My Approach

My practice is always refining. I believe it begins with an agreement, cooperation between two people who make a project of understanding. This is not healing or therapy, but it can help us become unstuck. The counselor is not a sage, but he commits to a certain rigour and strives to be of service. If held in good faith, comprehending dialogue between two people can be one of the most pivotal things in a person’s life. It certainly has been for me.  

Features of my approach:

·         Orientation: Socratic Counseling is about seeing patterns. It takes time to know someone before glimpsing those patterns. So the beginning of the practice is a meander of mutual curiosity – through stories, dilemmas, behaviours, opinions, whatever is most present for the counselee.

·         Reflection: The counselor is a Socratic mirror. I listen carefully, relay what I hear, and check for understanding. Rather like a portrait artist who repeatedly sketches your likeness – not to capture or judge you, but to evoke insight and recollection.   

·         Reading: The Socratic process does not occur in isolation. Philosophical texts are their own reflective surfaces. Most of what we suffer has been suffered by someone else. Tracing their footsteps can help us move better in the dark.

·         Proposing: The counselor is not just passive listener. I also pose questions and suggestions, even challenges. These are not prescriptions, and they’re not always correct. They are proposals, provocations for the counselee.

Intro sessions

There is no cost for an initial introductory session.  Contact us to schedule.

Sessions offered online or in Toronto, ON, Canada.