Online philosophy workshops
Developing thinking skills
Together, we will work on developing the thinking skills that allow us to be more objective, serene, clear-headed, and open in our daily lives. This work will be particularly useful for professionals in the human services field, for parents who wish to have a deeper relationship with their children, and for anyone who wants to develop their ability to better manage their thoughts.
Attitudes allow us to move forward with more confidence in reality, more serene in the face of the disruptions of our world, and with a mindset that favors wonder and reflection rather than reaction, defense, and withdrawal.
This practice is mainly derived from Socrates but also incorporates methodological teachings from over 2500 years of philosophical history (for details of skills I refer you to my book " La pratique philosophique " (Eyrolles, 2014).
The aim is to support you in developing the following skills through practice exercises:
Intellectual and behavioral flexibility: to be agile and adaptable
Logic and strength of argumentation: for a more objective discourse
Critical thinking and discernment: to identify problems and respond to them
Analysis: to separate the problems
Summary: to communicate clearly and get to the point
Listening: to understand others
Questioning: to investigate oneself, others, and the world
Conceptualization: to gain perspective on the complexity of reality
...and the adoption of new attitudes:
Self-confidence and trust in others: to facilitate initiative and commitment
Presence: to better perceive one's environment and others
Authenticity: for more human and transparent relationships
Suspension of judgment: to reflect in the face of a crisis before acting
Responsibility: to assume one's freedom
Positive confrontation: to build and explore new ideas
Developing thinking skills
If you want to understand more precisely what this practice consists of, you can make an appointment with me for an individual working session, the first half hour being free, which will allow you to see very quickly the essence of this practice.
I also have some videos available that I can send you.
You can also give me a call so we can have a preliminary discussion.
How can individual skills be developed in a group setting?
Philosophical practice has several original characteristics:
It lends itself very well to group work because the others become our "sparring partners," like in a martial art where everyone can train with their neighbor and change partners at will. This doesn't prevent each person from individually working on their skills under the guidance of the philosopher-practitioner.
She is not interested in intimacy, which means there is no embarrassment in expressing or acknowledging one's problems in the face of thought, especially since we are all in the same boat.
The problems that philosophical practice addresses are universal: lack of confidence, feeling worthless or inadequate, feeling like an imposter, compulsive talking, constant confusion, inability to construct an argument or clearly express one's thoughts, fear of judgment...
The group serves as a "sounding board" or chorus, as in Greek tragedy, and as a full-fledged participant in the dialogue. Thus, the group both contains all the individuals and speaks to each individual.
The 10 Socratic Agreements
The 10 agreements of the Socratic Pact
As a framework for any consultation or philosophical workshop, here are the few principles that provide a framework for Socratic-type dialogue and that allow you to take full advantage of this approach.
1 - Raison is our framework, it must guide our thoughts and our dialogue. Reason is a demanding passion, free and joyful, boundless and provocative, always in search of truth.
2 - You will answer directly the question but only the question, the whole question, accepting it as it is, without trying to modify it, dilute it or deviate from it, insofar as it is a real question to which we can answer. The question is an invitation to dialogue and a challenge offered by your interlocutor: if he asks you it, it is because he is interested in you and your way of thinking. In the same way, you will also question others, even if it is difficult.
3 - You will trust your interlocutor, without fear of any Machiavellian plan, because you have nothing to lose. We are together to practice thinking, to confront perspectives: not to trap you, convince you or dominate you.
4 - Common sense will be our arbiter. You can go against it in conscience and with reason, but you cannot ignore it by imposing the evidence of your own subjectivity.
5 - You will not be afraid of judgments that will be done upon you, or that you will do upon others, because judgment is a crucial tool of reason, which you must assume and practice. Remember that judgments depend on the arguments on which they are based.
6 - "Know thyself". You will accept questions that challenge you, even if the initial subject does not concern you directly and if it is uncomfortable. A speech is embodied in the one who carries it, and you will have to account for yourself as well as for your speech.
7 - You will not deny what you said: what is said is said. You reveal yourself more by what you say than by what you would have liked to say.Our own words show the finitude and the determination of our being.
8 - You will not seek to be in your right, to impose your opinion or to defend yourself: no one is here to attack you. Dialogue is a mutual reflection where everyone reveals themselves and develops, not a competition.
9 - You will not apologize for what you said or regret it. Everything you say has meaning and expresses your being, however tenuous or powerful, however fallible or accomplished your speech may be. It's just about seeing what is, understanding it and being aware of it as much as possible.
10 - You will temporarily put aside your sincerity, in order to distance from yourself and be more authentic. You will not be attached to your opinions. You will not put forward your emotions as an argument. You will submit your being to criticism, seeking its limits and its faults.