Attention is an art form. Perception is a skill.

Adam Eric Robbert, PhD, Philosophy and Religion

I write about attention, perception, and the practices that shape both. I like to say that practice changes what comes to presence for us in the first place. Psychologists call this perceptual learning. The ancient Greeks called it askēsis. Following the French philosopher Pierre Hadot, I approach philosophy as a way of life, rooted in the transformation of perception and attention. This site contains a sampling of my work. You can find more in my newsletter. Most currently, I'm thinking about collective forms of philosophy for the twenty-first century.

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Latest Work

Intelligence and Attention

The case for ascetic perception

Presented at the Avalon Exposition, Lighthaven, Berkeley, California, October 2026

Selected Essays

Talks

Projects

Scholarship

Practice in Still Life

Fragments, Essays, and Lectures

Practice in Still Life explores how philosophical and contemplative traditions transform our perception and understanding of reality. These pieces show how practice shapes our way of being in the world and the aesthetic nature of perception itself.

Contact

Drop me a line for correspondence and inquiries. I'm also open to commissioned work or event collaborations.

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The Base Camp

My newsletter. Latest thoughts, essays, and events.