UNESCO Report on Philosophical practice in the world
SATURDAY 9:30am Plenary
In the recent period has emerged and developed in different ways a concept that can be called philosophical practice. It involves some main lines of activity: philosophy with children, café philosophique, philosophical consultation, philosophical workshops, etc. In their diversity, these numerous practices have some common characteristics: a strong dialogical dimension, a certain distance from mere erudition, an important social and existential component, a more explicit connection with daily life, a rather popular or democratic conception of philosophy. On the more problematic side, the principle of “everyone can philosophize” has produced a number of drawbacks. The idea that it is sufficient to debate about life, love and ethics to qualify the discussion as philosophical. The lack of rigor linked to a complacent relativist conception. The production of a “good conscience” through the establishment of a “philosophical correctness” and a certain moralizing tendency. A dose of psychologism that prohibits identifying substantial philosophical issues by overprotecting the thinking subject.
It is expected that such a transformation of philosophy, as positive as it is, would not take place without certain obstacles and resistances. But the history of philosophy provides us with a number of tools that can guarantee both an adequate philosophical practice and a popularization of this activity. We just have to remain conscious of the conceptual and pedagogical tension of such a perspective, in order to avoid the Karybde of academia and the Scylla of demagogy.
The Art of Questioning with Oscar Brenifier
FRIDAY 21 September
Come and learn about philosophical practice inside and outside the classroom.
Time 9.15 Registration, 9.30 -1.30 followed by lunch at the Lomond Hotel (short walk from school) lunch not included in price
Cost: $40 - Early bird $30.00 before 14/9
Venue: Brunswick East Primary School
195A Stewart Street Brunswick East
Inquiries: Jill Howells 9387 3361
howells.jill.j@edumail.vic.gov.au
Registrations close 19/9
FAPSA Philosophy Symposium Dinner faciliated by Oscar Brenifier
FRIDAY 21 September 7:30pm to 11:00pm
Cost: $40 early bird, $60
Venue: Dantes Gallery: 150- 156 Gertrude St Fitzroy 3065
THANGS Philosophy Café with Oscar Brenifier
SATURDAY 22 September 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Cost: Free
Venue: 502 Lygon Street, East Brunswick, (near Albion Street)
You may like to purchase a light meal or alcoholic drink before or during at Thangs or another local cafe.
Workshop - The Art of Questioning with Oscar Brenifier
MONDAY 24 September 9:30pm to 4:30pm
Cost: $25
VENUE: CPTAV 150 Palmerston Street, Carlton
A philosophical workshop is neither the place to verify the knowledge acquired, nor to have an exchange of opinions. It is a moment where one learns to produce and understand ideas, to deepen them through argumentation and analysis, to problematize them through questions and objections, to clarify them by forging and identifying concepts. It is the process of engendering mental processes, examining the flaws and limitations of hypothesis produced, in order to elaborate the construction of thought in a conscious and reflective manner. It has cross curriculum implications, since it invites students and teachers to identify issues and obstacles in the learning process, independently of the subject studied.
Biography
Oscar Brenifier is Phd in philosophy from the Sorbonne, specialized in didactics of philosophy. For many years he has worked on the concept of philosophical workshop for children and adults, and has taught seminars in many countries throughout the world. He has published a number of books on the issue, in particular a series of philosophy books for children, translated in more than twenty languages.
Website: www.brenifier.com