Philosophy and Travel: The Meaning of Movement

Abstract

The question of what drives our travel has occupied philosophers down the centuries. This chapter shows how, in the ancient world, movement was often viewed as an aid to thinking, and many philosophers built this into their teaching. More recently, the importance of travel for broadening the mind and as a formative part of learning has been emphasised by leading philosophers. At the same time, some philosophers have observed that travel can leave us disappointed, and this chapter explores some of the reasons thinkers have given for this problem. The chapter also examines how travel and movement have begun to be considered a fundamental human right.