How to transform one’s trials into a life force? Alexandre Jollien, a Swiss philosopher, embodies this profound resilience that inspires thousands of people through his books and lectures. On February 12, France 2 aired Presque, a film co-directed with Bernard Campan. This philosophical comedy is much more than a road trip; it is an ode to difference and otherness, carried by a man who has turned his fragility into a true strength.
In this portrait, we trace the journey of Alexandre Jollien, a central figure in practical philosophy and personal development, to understand how he transformed his disability into a driving force for life and a quest for wisdom.
Disability as the Starting Point of an Inner Journey
Alexandre Jollien’s resilience takes root from his birth on November 26, 1975, in Sierre, Switzerland. A cerebral palsy caused by strangulation at birth leaves a lasting mark on his body. Between the ages of three and twenty, he lives in a specialized institution where he learns to cope with his physical limitations.
Far from his family, he often faces loneliness and marginalization. But this trial becomes fertile ground for his reflection. Very early on, he questions the gaze of others and human fragility.
It is there, at the heart of this experience, that he discovers the importance of cultivating interiority to overcome daily obstacles. Disability will never be a hindrance but a source of continuous learning.
Philosophy: A Path to Liberation and Hope
An admirer of the Stoics, Epicurus, and Socrates, Alexandre Jollien finds in philosophy an inner compass. After obtaining a master’s degree in philosophy at the University of Fribourg, he deepens his studies of ancient Greek in Dublin.
"Philosophy saved my life," he likes to remind. More than an academic discipline, it becomes for him an art of living, a concrete method to better understand the human condition and overcome suffering. He adopts a practical approach, where each philosophical concept is tested against existence.
The philosopher draws particularly from Stoic teachings the keys to facing adversity: the acceptance of what does not depend on us, courage in the face of trials, and the mastery of emotions.
A Literary Work in Service of Embraced Vulnerability
In 1999, his first book, Éloge de la faiblesse, was a revelation. This philosophical dialogue, inspired by his personal experience, questions the notion of vulnerability and invites everyone to consider it as a path to fulfillment. Praised by critics, the book received the Montyon Prize from the French Academy in 2000.
Books to Learn to Live Better
Since then, Alexandre Jollien has published numerous works, each offering deep reflection on the meaning of life, friendship, gratitude, and self-acceptance. Among his most influential works:
- Le Métier d’homme (2002)
- La Construction de soi (2006)
- Petit Traité de l’abandon (2012)
- Vivre sans pourquoi (2015)
- Trois amis en quête de sagesse (2016), co-written with Matthieu Ricard and Christophe André
Through these books, Alexandre Jollien offers an accessible philosophy, blending humor, depth, and spirituality. He invites his readers to embrace their imperfections to free themselves from social injunctions and reconnect with the essential.
Friendship with Bernard Campan: A Meeting that Breaks the Codes
The meeting with Bernard Campan, a former member of Les Inconnus, is decisive in Alexandre Jollien’s journey. Their friendship began in 2007, during the writing of the screenplay for La Face cachée. Quickly, the two men develop a relationship based on trust and deep dialogues about life and spirituality.
In the film Presque, released in 2022, they portray Igor, a delivery man with a disability, and Louis, an entrepreneur in existential crisis. Their adventures in a hearse, heading south of France, become a metaphor for rebirth.
Presque is a celebration of difference, sincere friendship, and the power of unexpected encounters. This philosophical road trip, light and moving, captivates critics for its depth without heaviness and the perfect chemistry between the two protagonists.
Resilience Based on Acceptance and Joy
For Alexandre Jollien, resilience is not just the ability to overcome difficulties. It is based on a philosophy of radical acceptance and openness to the unexpected. He invites everyone to embrace their fragility as a precious resource, far from the demands of perfection and performance.
In his lectures, YouTube videos, or books, he spreads a message of optimism nourished by experience. Far from denying suffering, he transcends it to reveal the immense freedom hidden behind our limits.
A Guide to Living Fully
Today, Alexandre Jollien is a notable figure in contemporary philosophy, embodying a humanistic and practical movement centered on resilience and authenticity. His reflections on vulnerability, the gaze of others, and inner freedom touch a wide audience.
Through his friendship with Bernard Campan, magnified in Presque, and his writings, he reminds us that accepting our fragilities is the key to a freer and happier life. Daring to be vulnerable also opens the door to love, friendship, and joy.
A precious message, in a world increasingly seeking to reconcile performance and humanity.