Why Philosophy In Coaching?
Over the past few months, I’ve been exploring different philosophical concepts and how they relate to transformative coaching.
These posts have been well received, but I know that some might be wondering something like:
“What does philosophy have to do with coaching? Aren’t you just overcomplicating things?”
And it’s a fair question.
Coaching is simple in its structure: a conversation, a space to think, a dialogue that helps clients explore their lives and move forward.
But the themes that emerge within that space are anything but simple. They are often deeply complex, existential, and paradigmatic.
I also know that for some, the word philosophy itself can trigger a particular reaction—an expectation that what follows will be abstract, obscure, or difficult to grasp.
But philosophy, at its heart, is the practice of questioning the things we take for granted—our beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world. Far from being detached from everyday life, it is woven into everything we do, from the way we make decisions to how we understand meaning, happiness, and change.
In that sense, it is already present in coaching, whether we name it as such or not.
For instance, when a client seeks coaching, they may start with a practical question: Should I change careers? How can I be more confident? What’s stopping me from moving forward?
But beneath these surface-level questions lie far deeper ones—questions about identity, self-worth, the nature of success, and the limits of change.
These are not just practical concerns; they are philosophical ones.
- What does it mean to live a good life?
- Is my identity something fixed, or do I have the power to redefine myself?
- How do relationships shape who I am?
- What role do meaning and purpose play in the choices I make?
- Can I trust in the unfolding nature of life, or must I always be in control?
These are the real questions that coaching brings to the surface. And once we realise that transformative coaching is an exploration of these deeper paradigms, the connection to philosophy becomes clear.
So when I bring philosophy into coaching, it is not about making things unnecessarily complicated—it’s about recognising that human growth is already complex. It requires us to examine, challenge, and sometimes completely reconstruct the way we see ourselves and the world.
That is why coaching is not just a process of problem-solving, but a process of philosophical enquiry. It’s not about imposing ideas on a client but about helping them uncover and examine the assumptions that already shape their thinking—often without them even realising it.
Coaching as an Exploration of How to Live Well
The ancient Greeks approached philosophy not as an abstract academic pursuit but as a way of exploring how to live well.
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to name but a few weren’t just theorists; they were deeply concerned with the fundamental questions of existence—what it means to live a good life, the nature of selfhood, the role of relationships, and the conditions necessary for human flourishing.
In many ways, I believe coaching can be, and often is, a modern extension of this tradition. While it doesn’t impose philosophical doctrines, it is, at its core, an enquiry into the ways we experience ourselves and the world.
Transformative coaching invites us to examine the unconscious assumptions that shape our lives—assumptions about who we are, how change happens, and what constitutes a fulfilling life. Like philosophy, coaching doesn’t give answers; it creates the space for deeper questioning.
What is Practical Philosophy?
Philosophy has often been divided into two strands: theoretical and practical.
Theoretical philosophy concerns itself with abstract questions about reality, knowledge, and logic.
Practical philosophy, on the other hand, deals with how we live—our ethics, values, and ways of being. Aristotle called it phronesis, or practical wisdom—the ability to navigate life well, not through rigid rules but through cultivated understanding.
I believe that coaching, particularly transformative coaching, aligns closely with this tradition. It isn’t about prescribing solutions but about uncovering the beliefs and assumptions that drive our decisions.
It helps clients reflect on their worldview, redefine their relationship with themselves and others, and discover what truly matters to them.
The Hidden Philosophies We Bring to Coaching
Whether we realise it or not, we all carry implicit philosophical assumptions—mental frameworks that shape how we interpret experience. These worldviews influence our choices, challenges, and perceived limitations.
In coaching, some of the most common hidden assumptions include:
- The Nature of Self – Am I a fixed identity, or am I capable of profound transformation?
- Relationships – Are relationships primarily transactional, or do they shape who I become?
- The Good Life – Does happiness come from achievement, alignment with values, or something else?
- Change – Is change a linear, effort-driven process, or does it emerge organically from deeper shifts?
Many coaching clients come in seeking change, but they are often constrained by the very paradigms through which they see themselves and the world.
Transformative coaching helps surface these assumptions and ask, “Is this belief serving me? What other possibilities exist?”
Coaching as Philosophical Enquiry: Unearthing and Examining Assumptions
Transformative coaching mirrors philosophical enquiry in its commitment to questioning assumptions. It does not impose solutions but invites deep reflection, much like the Socratic method.
Rather than giving advice, the coach holds a space for the client to investigate their worldview and arrive at their own insights.
This process aligns with:
- Paradigmatic Reflection – Helping clients become aware of and challenge their unconscious assumptions.
- Phenomenology – Prioritising lived experience over theoretical models.
- Dialogic Process – Co-creating meaning through conversation, rather than delivering pre-packaged answers.
- Unknowing – The coach’s ability to remain open, curious, and unattached to a single ‘truth’.
- Emergence – Recognising that change is often unpredictable and non-linear, unfolding in ways we can’t always anticipate.
By engaging in this kind of deep questioning, clients begin to realise that the real work isn’t just external change—it’s a shift in how they see themselves and their possibilities.
Practical Implications: How This Transforms Coaching
Seeing coaching as philosophical enquiry shifts the emphasis from surface-level problem-solving to deeper transformation. Instead of merely helping clients do differently, coaching invites them to see differently.
This shift has profound implications:
- Beyond Goals to Transformation – Goals are useful, but they are often shaped by unconscious paradigms. Coaching helps clients refine their aspirations so that they emerge from deep self-awareness rather than societal expectation.
- From Problem-Solving to Meaning-Making – Instead of just fixing immediate issues, coaching explores the meaning behind those struggles. Why does this matter? What is it pointing to? What assumptions lie beneath it?
- Empowering the Client as the Philosopher of Their Own Life – The coach is not a guru but a facilitator of deep self-enquiry, helping the client author their own worldview rather than inherit one unquestioned.
This reframing is essential because when coaching stays at the surface—helping clients tweak behaviours or set goals without questioning the deeper assumptions driving them—it risks being merely helpful.
But when coaching operates at this deeper, paradigmatic level, it becomes transformative. It shifts not just what the client does, but how they see themselves, their possibilities, and the world they move through.
Conclusion: Coaching as a Modern Form of Living Inquiry
In a world that often prioritises quick fixes, transformative coaching offers something different: a space to engage in deep, ongoing inquiry about how to live well.
Just as the ancient Greeks saw philosophy as an active, lived practice, coaching is not about having all the answers—it is about staying in the questions.
This is why I write about coaching and philosophy.
It’s not because I believe coaching needs to be intellectualised or complicated, but because the questions at its core already are. Coaching is not just about change; it is about understanding—and in that understanding, new possibilities for life begin to emerge.
So, if you’ve ever wondered why I bring philosophy into my reflections on coaching, this is it.
It’s because when we engage deeply in coaching, we are doing more than just solving problems. We are engaging in the great philosophical work of being human: asking who we are, what matters to us, and how we want to shape the life ahead.
That, to me, is anything but overcomplicated.
That is the heart of the work.
