Victor Carrington has practiced as a philosophical and pastoral counsellor for ten years with expertise in life-stage transitions, life crises, and relationships. He has 25 years of graduate study in social sciences, including history, law, and psychology. His research includes diverse topics such as administrative approaches to the First Amendment, human trafficking, contemporary views of Groundhog Day (Imbolc), and parasociality in political contexts. Victor currently studies philosophy at International Dominican University, in Toulouse, France.
What is your personal philosophy?
My personal philosophy centers around self-development, positivity, conscious meaning-making, and the pursuit of wonder through arts, nature, and new experiences. Grounded in humanism, existentialism, phenomenology, Zoroastrian morality, and rational responses to contemporary social issues, I believe that I have control over my choices and how I respond to the world. Consequently, I choose to surround myself with enriching aspects of life, often immersing myself in nature, arts, and culture.
I recognize the dual nature of culture, akin to fire, as both a dangerous servant and a fearful master. In shaping my social perspective, I draw insights from a diverse range of writings, including those of Shakespeare, Camus, Whitehead, Martin Buber, Levy Brulés, Ernest Becker, and Bruno Latour. These varied sources contribute to my understanding of the complexities of existence, the human condition, and the need for thoughtful engagement with the world around me. By embracing this philosophy, I strive to navigate life with intention, curiosity, and a commitment to personal growth and societal well-being.
What are three things on your bucket list that you’ve not yet accomplished?
I would like to gain certification as an airship pilot (blimps). There are less than one hundred twenty five pilots, and they are chosen among aeronauts (balloonists) and helicopter pilots. I am in the early stages of planning hot air balloon training.
I have a growing apiary with one hundred beehives. I would like to relocate to farmland that can accommodate both an orchard and apiary. Siting a farm involves soil quality, water availability, infrastructure, and agriculture-friendly government. Perhaps, once I have narrowed down my selection to a region of the Gulf Coast, I may have a clearer site selection.
I would like to form a nonprofit counseling practice for the social re-entry of prisoners. I have an expertise in related areas: personality theory, decision sciences, existential loss, remorse, or regret. I also think, categorically speaking, this group would benefit most in finding themselves and their purpose in life.
What are you most proud of in your professional life?
I am proud to be a interdisciplinary thinker. I am a life-long learner with degrees in art, history, law, psychology, ministry, and professional certifications in astrology, philosophy, and beekeeping. I value the advantage this broad knowledge lends to problem solving, holistic thinking, adaptability, recognition of stakeholders, and systems leadership.
There is a saying, “jack-of-all-trades, master of none,” which suggests that generalists may lack in-depth expertise compared to specialists. Some people may view generalists as having a superficial understanding of multiple subjects rather than being deeply knowledgeable in one specific area. This perception leads to skepticism about my level of expertise or in the quality of my work. I often find that gatekeepers go out of their way to overlook my value. In turn, I have had a long journey in self-starting my career.
What advice do you wish someone had given to you?
Astrology. Contemporary culture accepts nature versus nurture in concept if not all applications. Western society is slow to realize that “knowing oneself” necessarily includes knowing one’s place and purpose in a cosmic order. Society is not a microcosm, but a single dysfunctional system. Astrology is the one personality theory that integrates elements of skills aptitude, psychohistory, purpose, fulfillment, and harmonious relationships.
Astrology is a tool to identify opportunities and direct limited resources to the best purpose for the given time horizon. I would have never thought to study at Harvard if I had not first seen an auspicious line running through Boston on my personal chart. Astrology is also a tool to describe obstacles and interpersonal conflicts, before they fully manifest, and empowers conscious and creative choices for better outcomes.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on publicizing my counseling practice through website development and digital marketing strategies. This one project has been delayed for six years due to the free time required to self-study WordPress and produce website content. For this reason, I welcome the AI revolution.
I am gaining certifications in Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy method of meaning-making, logic-based counseling, and in pastoral counseling. These certifications are signals that help clients differentiate my services from licensed clinical practices with insurance schemes.
I am studying for master’s degrees in philosophy, cultural astronomy, finance, and agricultural laws. My reasons for each field is varied, but they all function as signals of field expertise.
I have been joining professional organizations in hopes of networking and visibility in the field. I would prefer to be a doer, not a writer. I have been writing for free my whole life; no wonder I dislike writing. Organizational affiliation promotes opportunities in leadership and project boards.
What’s your favorite quote?
I do not have a single favorite. In philosophy, ministry, and counseling, I often quote Theosophist Jiddu Krishnamurti: “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” And it pairs well with British poet, W. H. Auden, in “The Three Wisemen”: “To discover how to be human now / Is the reason we follow this star.”
Krishnamurti is in line with many philosophers across eras when he challenges the idea that societal expectations automatically lead to a healthy and fulfilling life. Instead, he suggests that true well-being requires a deeper understanding of oneself, an examination of societal norms, and a willingness to challenge and transcend them, if necessary.
Auden reframes our quest as not a single or series of goals but also to learn how to be truly human in the present moment. The star, in this context, serves as a symbol of guidance and enlightenment on the path toward understanding humanity. Auden’s poetry often delves into existential and philosophical themes, exploring the complexities of human existence and the search for meaning.
These two quotes complement one another because it is not enough to know where we do not find answers or authority. We must rest our guiding principles for self-actualization in something transcendental, whether a personal cosmology, ethical system, or God.
Alexis LaBar has a Master’s degree in Philosophy from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Before attending West Chester, she graduated from Moravian University with a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, a minor in Global Religions, and an Ethics certificate. She is the recipient of the 2022 Claghorn Award in Philosophy, awarded by West Chester University, and the 2021 Douglas Anderson Prize in Philosophy, awarded by Moravian University. She is the Editor of the Teaching Beat and Work/Life Balance Beat.
