A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Tetractys of philosophical health: A structured approach to aligning personal cosmology, higher purpose, and practices of the compossible




Authorsde Miranda, Luis

PublisherSAGE Publications

Publication year2025

JournalPossibility Studies & Society

Journal name in sourcePossibility Studies & Society

Article number27538699251360167

ISSN2753-8699

eISSN2753-8699

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1177/27538699251360167

Web address https://doi.org/10.1177/27538699251360167

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499950435


Abstract

This article introduces the Tetractys of Philosophical Health, a structured visual exercise inspired by the Pythagorean tetractys that facilitates alignment between an individual’s cosmological worldview, sense of purpose, and practical engagement with the world. This heuristic exercise is methodologically grounded through multi-layered convergent indications from cognitive load theory, affective neuroscience, neuroplasticity research, ancient wisdom traditions, and sustained philosophical counselling practice. Employed as a core component within the SMILE_PH method (Sense-Making Interviews Looking at Elements of Philosophical Health), the exercise serves as both exploratory tool and intervention, bridging abstract philosophical reflection and concrete action while training compossibility thinking—the capacity to create mutually reinforcing relationships between different dimensions of possibility. The article presents this four-layer theoretical foundation, describes implementations within philosophical counselling sessions with case examples, and discusses theoretical and practical implications for educational, organizational, and personal development contexts. The Tetractys, a tested innovation presented here for the first time in print, contributes to philosophical practice and possibility studies by offering a consolidating—compossibilizing—approach that helps individuals create integration between personal cosmology, cognitive coherence and practical mission while developing systemic thinking.


Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.




Funding information in the publication
The author disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Grant Agreement No. 101081293.


Last updated on 2025-16-09 at 11:35