 What is
Philosophical
Counseling?
|
Plato counseled Dionysius II of Syracuse, Descartes counseled
Queen
Christina of Sweden, and Locke was a counselor in the household of the
first Earl of Shaftesbury. These are just a few examples of the
philosophers who counseled royalty, politicians, clergy and all others who
asked for their services. Though philosophy has become a purely academic
profession in the last few centuries, at the end of the 20th century private
philosophy tutors and counselors are increasingly gaining popularity.
The German philosopher Gerd B. Achenbach conceived the idea of the
philosopher as a private "institution," as a person working independently
outside the ivory tower of the university. Achenbach began
receiving people for private consultations about life problems and questions
in 1981.
Though there are psychiatrists and psychologists who use philosophy in
their treatment of persons, Achenbach's approach is non-clinical.
Philosophical Counseling may remind people of sessions with therapists or
pastoral counselors because of outward similarities in the sessions.
Nevertheless, Philosophical Counseling does not work with psychological,
theological, or medical models. The aim of Achenbach's practice is to
create a "free place" where persons use philosophy to develop their own
thoughts on relevant subject matters.
|
Philosophical Counseling
organizations |
In 1982 Achenbach founded the German Society for Philosophical Practice
and Counseling, and he published his first books on the subject in 1984
and 1985. Soon after that, Philosophical Counseling spread over the
European continent, establishing especially deep roots in the Netherlands.
At present, in addition to the German, now International Society for
Philosophical Practice
(IGPP), there are the Dutch (VFP), the Norwegian (NPP), the Canadian ASPP and CSPP Societies for the Practice of
Philosophy, the Israeli (ISPPI), the
British Society of Consultant Philosophers (SCP), a Finnish (SFPY), an Italian and Spanish organizations, a South African Association (APC), and two Australian Associations and now also a Brazilian, and the Portuguese Ethical and Counselling Association. The Society for Philosophical Inquiry (SPI), The American Philosophical Counseling Association (APCA),The Philosophers' Guild (PG), and another American
Society for Philosophy, Counseling and Psychotherapy (ASPCP) are cultivating the idea and practice of philosophical
counseling in the USA. The former executive director, Lou Marinoff, of the last mentioned organization proposed a
controversial bill on philosophical practice in the New York State area.
In Israel, philosophical counseling began in 1989 with the establishment
of Center Sophon, directed by Shlomit Schuster. The activities
of this center include a nonprofit first-aid philosophy line for
existential problems and ethical dilemmas. Likewise, Avshalom Adam, Lydia Amir, Ora Gruengard, Louis N. Sandowsky, Adva Shaviv, Rabbi Pinchas HaCohen Wilman, Israel Shorek and a few others began private practices in which conceptual and philosophical issues are principal. Though there is no formal education for this new profession, the above-mentioned societies have adopted an M.A. degree in philosophy as a minimal professional standard.
It is difficult to find out how many philosophers are, at present, doing
philosophical counseling work worldwide, and where they are located.
But there are philosophical counselors in Austria, Denmark, Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Turkey, Japan, Switzerland, and
Greece.
|
A Philosophical practitioner's notebook of quotations |
For a collection of quotations useful to the
philosophical practitioner, please click
here.
|
Israeli Society for
Philosophical Practice and Counseling |
ISPPI is the translation
into Latin letters of the Hebrew
initials representing the "Israeli Society for Philosophical
Practice and Counseling."
Selections from the ISPPI Bulletin
TRUMP 1.1 TRUMP 1.2
|
The Israeli and International press on
Philosophical Practice and Counseling |
A selection of interviews with Shlomit Schuster:
- The Philosopher's Couch The Jerusalem Post, Febr. 9, 1990 [in English].
- Philosophy to the People Haaretz, April
17, 1990 [in Hebrew].
- Counseling and Guidance Kol Ha'Ir,
January 12, 1995 [in Hebrew].
- Philosophone The Jerusalem Post -- In
Jerusalem, October 8, 1993 [in English].
- Filosofe ziet rol in tijden van crisis Trouw,
October 17, 2001 [in Dutch].
- Aldus: Socrates vs Bin Laden Parool, October 18, 2001 [in Dutch].
- La Palestina in casa Ha Keillah, No. 6, 2002, Tevet 5763 [in Italian].
- Critique of pure reason Haaretz and The International Herald Tribune (Israel edition) - Online version, Friday, October 10, 2003 Tishrei 17, 5764 [in Hebrew and English].
- Interview about Plato, not Prozac -- in Hebrew Mekor Rishon (Israel edition)- 26 November 2004.
- For an updated list of reference to publications in the Israeli and International press on Philosophical Counseling, click here
|
Philosophical Counseling
conferences and workshops |
- CONFERENCES, LECTURES, WORKSHOPS:
- For the Purdue University Calumet (IN, USA) International Conference for Philosophical Practice, May 2007 click here
|
