Philosophy and Community: Theories, Practices and Possibilities

Description

‘Why should we care about philosophy?’ Public philosophy, or ‘doing philosophy’ in the community is an important and growing trend – revealed not only by the phenomenon of the Parisian philosophy café, but also the contemporary rise of multiple grassroots projects, for example the Philosophy in Pubs movement. This book is the first to academically examine the theoretical contributions and practical applications of community philosophy. Bringing together voices from diverse contexts and subject areas, from activism and political action to religious environments, arts organisations and museums to maximum security prisons this collection asks key questions about the point of making philosophy for everyone: ‘How do you “do” philosophy with the public?’; 'Is philosophy in the community the same as academic philosophy?’; ‘Why is community philosophy important?' Including contributions from professional philosophers, educators, healthcare workers and researchers, and community philosophy practitioners, this collection offers perspectives on a growing area of study. It offers a timely critical introduction to, and analysis of, what philosophy can be when grounded in socially-engaged activities. Title Page Copyright Page Contents Foreword: Community-engaged philosophy for lifelong learning Notes References Preface: ‘In all things of nature there is something wonderful’ Note References Contributors Abbreviations Part 1: Philosophy and Community: Theories Chapter 1: Understanding philosophy in communities: The spaces, people, politics and philosophy of Community Philosophy Introduction: How we philosophize Community Philosophy: Participatory philosophical engagement in the Socratic tradition UK Community Philosophy in the wider context of philosophy in communities Philosophy for Children and philosophy in communities Philosophy for Children in the UK: The role of SAPERE Community Philosophy: Diverse people, spaces and actions Four dimensions of philosophy in communities groups Last words Notes References Chapter 2: Relocation and repopulation: Why Community Philosophy matters A confined conversation Locating Community Philosophy Relocation and repopulation Communities breed convention Philosophy’s historical home Philosophy and its close relations What philosophy has in common with football The strange products of professionalization The fruits of academic labour The benefits of philosophizing for ourselves Restoring the ancient philosophical project The promise of Community Philosophy Some criticisms of Community Philosophy Conclusion Notes References Chapter 3: Registers of community: Policy discourse, subjectivity and coming to terms with our conditions Introduction Community as an object of government: From the welfare state to the big society Citizenship for the knowledge economy: From historical to environmental self-understanding Depoliticization, immunization, negation Affirming community Notes References Chapter 4: Keeping the conversation going: A pragmatist assessment of the value of public philosophy Public philosophy Pragmatism and the value of conversation The value of public philosophy References Chapter 5: Community Philosophy and social action Introduction Philosophy and social action: Freedoms and constraints Community philosophy: Background and borrowings Autonomy, self-determination, action and social action The case of the wandering prisoner P4C and the ‘captive audience’ versus the freedom of community ‘The Thinking Village’: An experiment in Community Philosophy-informed social action Some reflections Community Philosophy Facilitator training: Promoting social action elsewhere The Powell-Cotton Museum case study Action that changes the world: A question of scale? ‘The Touch Project’ and Community Philosophy as participatory action research ‘Working with’ as against ‘doing to’ Concluding themes A last word: Community Philosophy and social action – from process to a new kind of politics Notes References Chapter 6: Philosophy, dialogue and the creation of community Philosophy as educative: Epictetus and Seneca Philosophy and Community through dialogue Notes References Chapter 7: Beyond walls: The redemption of philosophy Note References Part 2: Philosophy and Community: Practices Chapter 8: In philosophical conversation with: Art audiences Community Philosophy in museums and galleries The social context of our work The theoretical context of our work A real example The challenges we face The assumptions we make What we’ve learnt Defending our approach as philosophy References Chapter 9: In philosophical conversation with: Professionals Moral theory and applied ethics Integrity and motivation ‘No right or wrong answers?’ Conclusion Notes References Chapter 10: In philosophical conversation with: New and beginning teachers Introduction Communities of practice in teacher education Communities of enquiry and dialogue P4T in practice Critical reflections Concluding remarks Notes References Chapter 11: In philosophical conversation with: Learning-disabled performers Introduction to the context of the work Description of the work Critical reflections Conclusion Notes References Chapter 12: In philosophical conversation with: People in prison – beyond rehabilitation Introduction What do the classes look like? The ambiguous impact of philosophy and rehabilitation Is it unethical to do philosophy with prisoners? Does imprisonment create the need for philosophy? References Chapter 13: In philosophical conversation with: Philosophy Ireland – Building a national P4C network Background to PI The Republic of Ireland – Pivotal recent events Precipitating events (‘Preparation Meets Opportunity’) Where we’re at Lessons learnt Conclusion Notes References Chapter 14: In philosophical conversation with: A diverse group of adults – ‘Dwelling Together in Diverse Spaces’ Introduction to the context of the work Description of the work Critical reflections Acknowledgements Notes References Chapter 15: In philosophical conversation with: Undergraduate students and a local school community Introduction The context of this example of community philosophy Course aims and structure The contributions of undergraduate philosophy students to community philosophy The distinctiveness of students’ contribution to community philosophy Critical reflections: The onus on philosophy students The egalitarian approach to education Preventing obsolescence in philosophy Philosophy’s image problem Conclusion References Chapter 16: In philosophical conversation with: Adolescents in a behavioural health unit Adolescent behavioural health unit Group philosophy Group structure Topics Resilience Self-identity Moving forward Limitations Wrapping up Notes References Part 3: Philosophy and Community: Possibilities Chapter 17: Coda References Afterword: Thoughts on moving philosophy outside Introduction Walking technologies Walking as a philosophical proposition Walking as Community Philosophy: Examples from practice Concluding remarks Notes References Index