Walking means many different things to those who walk. It can be a way to think more productively, discover landscapes or listen to body language shaped by muscle movements and breathing. Or it can be a way to travel, to get in touch with nature by crossing woods, meadows, mountains. One can walk to reach a specific destination or wander aimlessly for hours. One can go on foot alone, with a friend, a lover, a child, or even a large group. One can walk outdoors, indoors, or only in one’s imagination. The author provides an overview of all these experiences, delving into the accounts of philosophers, writers, poets, explorers and others who have followed noteworthy paths.

Massimo Mori is professor emeritus of History of Philosophy at the University of Turin and heads that city’s Academy of Sciences.