Chapter published in:
Controversies in the Contemporary World
Edited by Adriano Fabris and Giovanni Scarafile
[Controversies 15] 2019
► pp. 127–143

Chapter 7
Dialogue in philosophical practices

The definition of the lowest common denominator of philosophical practices is widely debated: what is the philosophical core that allows us to distinguish them from other activities? Also, is it possible to identify a methodical peculiarity in philosophical practices? Indeed, many philosophical practitioners refer to dialogue as the specific philosophical character marking their professional activity. This statement, which as such is rather naive, is obviously somewhat problematic. However, philosophical practitioners stress the λόγος of dialogue.In addition to investigating how the dialogue is understood in the different philosophical practices, this contribution aims at enhancing the διά, the “between” of dialogue. This dimension, in fact, may be a possible theoretical framework within which to understand philosophical practices as a whole.
Keywords: dialogue, Socratic dialogue, philosophy for children, philosophical practice, philosophical counselling, café-philo, critical thinking, way of life
Article outline
  • 1.Philosophical practices
  • 2.Defining philosophical practices
  • 3.Διαλέγεσθαι: practising the philosophical λόγος
    • 3.1Socratic dialogue
    • 3.2Philosophy for children
    • 3.3Philosophical counselling
    • 3.4Café-philo
  • 4.Διάλογος: transcendentality and transcendence of the “between”
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 07 August 2019
https://doi.org/10.1075/cvs.15.08ber
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