AIMS OF TRUMP
Dear ISPPI member and others interested in the practice of philosophy, I chose the name "Trump" (an application of the word "triumph") for this bulletin in the hope that it will indeed be a successful aid to philosophical practitioners to establish themselves as individual professionals and as a philosophical community. With this first issue of Trump I hope to establish a communication path which all philosophical practitioners may use to contribute to the flourishing of philosophical practice and counseling. As editor of Trump I welcome your contributions. Please send in your practice activities so that they can be published together with ISPPI activities. Also if you have questions or like to share your views about philosophical practice and counseling related issues, please send in a short comment (about 400 words or shorter) in English or Hebrew, and always in typescript. The editor, Shlomit Schuster
_____________________DID YOU PAY MEMBERSHIP DUES YET? NO? PLEASE, DO IT SOON!
______________________ABOUT "ISRAELI SOCIETY FOR PHILOSOPHY PRACTICE AND COUNSELING" (ISPPI)
_______________________In May 1996, some Israeli philosophical counselors and other interested philosophers agreed on forming a contact group, and in November 1996 we agreed to form a society. The aim of ISPPI is to promote affirmative contact among philosophical practitioners and to encourage the development of philosophical counseling through sharing professional experiences, knowledge and information. The precidency and the secretariat of the society are with Shlomit Schuster. Associate membership is open to all, while regular membership is limited to philosophers with at least an M.A. degree. Membership is from January to January the following year. Dues: Thirty five New Shekels or Ten USA Dollars.
______________________TO BECOME A MEMBER
______________________
All interested in receiving more information (the text
"Philosophical Counseling" or "The Constitution of ISPPI"), or in
subscribing as members should contact the following address:
ISPPI, c/o
Shlomit Schuster, Horkania 23, # 2., Jerusalem, 93305.
Phone: (972) 2-6795090. http://geocities.datacellar.net/centersophon
_______________________
ISPPI LECTURES
_______________________
The following series is the ISPPI public program for
February-March 1998.
All lectures are held at The Moadon HaOleh, 9 Alkalai St.,
Jerusalem (in the neighborhood of the Jerusalem Theatre). The
entry is free, so invite your friends to come along.
ISPPI members and those interested in receiving information
on the society are encouraged to be at the Moadon HaOleh at 8.00
p.m., that is 30 minutes before the start of each lecture. This
will make it possible for all ISPPI members to get to know each
other and meet with potential new members in an informal manner.
PLEASE, DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MEET OTHERS
INTERESTED IN MEETING YOU! Refreshments will be available from
the Moadon HaOleh's pleasant cafe for a minimal charge.
Except for the first lecture, all the lectures have been
presented at the Third International Conference for Philosophy
Practice, in New York, July 1997. These papers are also
forthcoming in the proceedings of the New York conference.
------------------------
Wednesday 25 February, 20.30
Jeremy Iggers: "PHILOSOPHY AND THE QUEST FOR MEANING AT MIDLIFE"
(in English)
Abstract: In this lecture Dr. Iggers explores the ethical
challenges and philosophical questions surrounding midlife. In
particular: what does philosophy have to offer to the person
facing the challenge of midlife?
What role is there for the philosophical practitioner? Is
philosophy itself facing a mid-life crisis?
Dr. Iggers is at the University of Minnesota, author, staff
writer for the Star Tribune, and philosophical practitioner.
--------------------
Thursday 5 March, 20.30
Ora Gruengard: "HOW TO TURN GEOMETRICALLY PERFECT SPHERES INTO
PLAYFUL BALLOONS"
(in Hebrew)
Abstract: Psychotherapists have philosophical presuppositions.
Although they have different professional persuasions, they tend
to share Locke's belief that the dissolution of "unnatural"
associations is the ultimate panacea for "unreason" and
"madness." . . . Austin's method in Sense and
Sensibility, which has helped a client to get rid of a rigid
perfect sphere in his mind, is analyzed as a case study.
Dr. Gruengard is at the Open University, Tel Aviv, and
philosophical practitioner.
-----------------------
Sunday 8 March, 20.30
Lydia Amir: "PHILOSOPHY AS COUNSELEE: A RE-EVALUATION OF
PHILOSOPHY" (in Hebrew)
Abstract: The data and experience accumulated in methods of
philosophical counseling could be used to formulate a criterion
for evaluating philosophy. . . . The suggested criterion would be
one of practicability or relevance to human life, well-being,
reasonable expectations, spiritual dimension, etc.; in short to
humanity's wisdom (Sophia) and practical wisdom (Phronesis).
Dr. Amir is at the College of Management in Tel-Aviv, and
philosophical practitioner.
----------------------
Sunday 15 March, 20.30
Ettel Weingarten: "DESCARTES AS A PRECURSOR OF PHILOSOPHICAL
COUNSELING" (in Hebrew)
Abstract: Descartes's correspondence with Elisabeth of Bohemia
and his relationship with Christina of Sweden is discussed.
Elisabeth's criticism of Descartes's mind-body theory, and
Cartesian ethics are highlighted as important for the counseling
relationship.
Ms. Weingarten is a Ph.D. Cand. in Philosophy at the Hebrew
University, and philosophical practitioner.
-----------------------
Sunday 22 March, 20.30
Shlomit Schuster: "PHILOSOPHICAL NARRATIVES AND PHILOSOPHICAL
COUNSELING" (in English)
Abstract: In a short history of philosophical
narratives--including some modern examples of the genre--I
demonstrates how philosophical narratives differ from
psychological narratives.
Achenbach's method of philosophical counselling is illustrated in
"A Portrait of David," a narrative account of philosophical
counselling sessions.
Ms. Schuster is a Ph.D. Cand. in Philosophy at the Hebrew
University, and philosophical practitioner.
___________________
BOOK REVIEW
___________________
by Shlomit Schuster
PERSPECTIVES IN PHILOSOPHICAL PRACTICE:
A collection of papers presented at the
Second International Congress on Philosophical Practice,
Leusden, The Netherlands, August 25-28, 1996.
Editor: Drs. Wim van der Vlist
Published by The Vereniging Filosofische Praktijk & Plug Copy,
Doorwerth-Holland, 1997. pp. 303.
Price: 35,00 USA Dollars.
This collection of essays reflects in many ways the themes
presented at the First International Conference on Philosophical
Counseling of Vancouver 1994.
In this volume the contributions of Dr. Gerd B. Achenbach
are a clarification of some of the main themes of the Vancouver
conference concerning the essence of philosophical practice and
how (if at all) to differentiate it from psychological counseling
and therapy. Other articles are responses and critiques of papers
delivered at the Vancouver Conference, or are concerned with
resent publications on philosophical counseling.
Theoretical and practical aspects of philosophical practice
find expression in reports from philosophical practices,
outlines for workshops and reflections on Postmodern perspectives
in philosophical practice, Zen, Asian philosophy, Socratic
Dialogue, Spinoza, Brentano, Nietzsche, Pirandello, Sartre and
others.
Though a couple of the articles are not precisely in the
Queens English and there are a few typos through out the fast
published book, nevertheless the content and actuality of this
collection of articles makes it the most interesting collection
published so far.
Orders (10% on second or more copies) by writing to:
Drs. P.J. Peters
Schimmelpennicklaan 4a
6871 TV Renkum-Holland
The Netherlands.
Tel./Fax: 0317-318364
Payment: $35,00 US Dollars or Hfl 68,50 Dutch guilders.
Quote from letter from P.J. Peters: "Because of the complexity of
international payment in different countries we [VFP] kindly ask
you to pay
by guaranteed cheque or international money-order.
The VFP has no credit-card facilities; our Dutch Postbank account
is: 1270099, Vereniging Filosofische Praktijk, Amsterdam."
There are still a few copies available at the Sophon Center
(02-6795090) at the price of 130 New Shekels.
______________
THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
_______________
The Fourth International Conference on Philosophy Practice has as
theme "Refections on the Role of the Virtues in the Life of the
Individual."
It will take place at the Thomas Morus Academy in Bergisch
Gladbach (near Cologne), Germany. Conference dates: 3-6 August
1998. For registration or more information write to: Society for
Philosophical Practice, Hermann-Loens-Str. 56c, D-51469 Bergisch
Gladbach, Germany.
____________________
SOPHIE'S WORLD: A GUIDED TOUR TOWARDS
EVERYBODY'S MEANING OF LIFE
____________________
A series of 8 talks by Shlomit Schuster followed by group
discussion on the meaning of life on basis of Jostein Gaarder's
best-selling novel Sophie's World. Series of 8 talks: 100
Shekels, 1 talk: 15 Shekels. At the Library of Arts--Ticho
House; 9 Harav Kook Str., Jerusalem. All these meetings
start at 18.00 and last about 90 minutes.
15.2: The Garden of Eden and the Mythological World Picture
(Chapters 1-3);
1.3: After Mythology (Chapters 4-6);
15.3: Socrates and Plato (Chapters 7-9);
29.3: Aristotle and Hellenism (Chapters 10-12);
26.4: Philosophy and the Religions (Chapters 13-15);
3.5: Renaissance Humanism and the Baroque Art of Living (Chapters
16-17);
17.5: Descartes and Spinoza (Chapters 18-19);
7.6: Locke and Hume (Chapters 20-21).
--------------------
ACHENBACH'S CONCEPTS
--------------------
Summary of one of Dr. G. B. Achenbach's presentations at the
Second International Conference of Philosophical Practice,
Leusden, the Netherlands, August 1996:
"About the Center in Philosophical Practice."[1]
The following paraphrases are mainly based on a tape
recording made by Fred Foulks of a translated summary presented
by Dr. Rene Saran after Gerd Achenbach's opening lecture at the
Conference.
Achenbach considers that it is typical for philosophers to
look for essences, the general, in everything. However, this
particular philosophical characteristic he finds not essential in
philosophical counseling. He prefers to describe philosophical
practice negatively--as not therapy (cf. the negative
descriptions of God in theology). One may even come to ask if
there is anything important in philosophical practice.
Nevertheless, two central aspects are important: the
counselor and the visitor. For the counselor the client is of
central importance and for the client, the counselor. These two
central points are compared to the two centers of the ellipse.
Then there are three important principles concerning the
relationship between these two central aspects: 1) God intended
people to be different and therefore one should not treat persons
as the same. One should try to look for unique links between a
person and his or her history. 2) The counselor needs to
understand the innermost and manifold thoughts of the
client. The counselor should consider himself as a learner in
this respect. There are many possible ways of approaching a
visitor. What is important is that the counselor opens his or
her heart to the counselee. 3) The counselor should not try to
change the visitor. Even goals and intentions in the discussions
should be avoided so that the counselee can determine the aim of
the talks.
Finally Achenbach finds that there are many, indeed very
numerous, signposts, but not commands, along the philosophical
practitioner's way.
One such a road sign he found in a report written by a counselee
on his praxis: she compared his work with that of a pilot who has
a cheerful relationship with the navigator of the ship.
For a translation of the complete text see: Perspectives in
Philosophical Practice (Doorwerth: Vereniging Filosofische
Praktijk, 1997) pp. 7-15.
(c)April 1997, Shlomit C. Schuster. All rights reserved.
______________________
ON PHILOSOPHICAL CAFES IN JERUSALEM
______________________
According to Jeremy Igger's article in the Internet Magazine
Utne, the type of philosophical practice that Marc Sautes
began in a Paris cafe is thriving world wide.
Yes, Jerusalem has also adopted this latest international
fashion. Already some years ago Ettel Weingarten conducted study
sessions on Spinoza in a Jerusalem cafe named after the great
thinker. I also heard about philosophy evenings by Shalem
Coulibaly (in French) in the local Metropole cafe. On Monday 16
March, 7.00 p.m. Shlomit Schuster will reintroduce the idea in
the Tmol Shilshom Bookstore Cafe for Hebrew speakers. Subject: On
the philosophy cafe and other types of philosophical practice.
5 Yoel Salomon Street, Jerusalem. For reservations: 02-6232758.
Visit Tmol Shilshom
also in cyberspace!
BOOK REVIEW
___________________by Shlomit Schuster PERSPECTIVES IN PHILOSOPHICAL PRACTICE: A collection of papers presented at the Second International Congress on Philosophical Practice, Leusden, The Netherlands, August 25-28, 1996. Editor: Drs. Wim van der Vlist Published by The Vereniging Filosofische Praktijk & Plug Copy, Doorwerth-Holland, 1997. pp. 303. Price: 35,00 USA Dollars. This collection of essays reflects in many ways the themes presented at the First International Conference on Philosophical Counseling of Vancouver 1994. In this volume the contributions of Dr. Gerd B. Achenbach are a clarification of some of the main themes of the Vancouver conference concerning the essence of philosophical practice and how (if at all) to differentiate it from psychological counseling and therapy. Other articles are responses and critiques of papers delivered at the Vancouver Conference, or are concerned with resent publications on philosophical counseling. Theoretical and practical aspects of philosophical practice find expression in reports from philosophical practices, outlines for workshops and reflections on Postmodern perspectives in philosophical practice, Zen, Asian philosophy, Socratic Dialogue, Spinoza, Brentano, Nietzsche, Pirandello, Sartre and others. Though a couple of the articles are not precisely in the Queens English and there are a few typos through out the fast published book, nevertheless the content and actuality of this collection of articles makes it the most interesting collection published so far. Orders (10% on second or more copies) by writing to: Drs. P.J. Peters Schimmelpennicklaan 4a 6871 TV Renkum-Holland The Netherlands. Tel./Fax: 0317-318364 Payment: $35,00 US Dollars or Hfl 68,50 Dutch guilders. Quote from letter from P.J. Peters: "Because of the complexity of international payment in different countries we [VFP] kindly ask you to pay by guaranteed cheque or international money-order. The VFP has no credit-card facilities; our Dutch Postbank account is: 1270099, Vereniging Filosofische Praktijk, Amsterdam." There are still a few copies available at the Sophon Center (02-6795090) at the price of 130 New Shekels.
______________THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
_______________The Fourth International Conference on Philosophy Practice has as theme "Refections on the Role of the Virtues in the Life of the Individual." It will take place at the Thomas Morus Academy in Bergisch Gladbach (near Cologne), Germany. Conference dates: 3-6 August 1998. For registration or more information write to: Society for Philosophical Practice, Hermann-Loens-Str. 56c, D-51469 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
____________________SOPHIE'S WORLD: A GUIDED TOUR TOWARDS EVERYBODY'S MEANING OF LIFE
____________________A series of 8 talks by Shlomit Schuster followed by group discussion on the meaning of life on basis of Jostein Gaarder's best-selling novel Sophie's World. Series of 8 talks: 100 Shekels, 1 talk: 15 Shekels. At the Library of Arts--Ticho House; 9 Harav Kook Str., Jerusalem. All these meetings start at 18.00 and last about 90 minutes. 15.2: The Garden of Eden and the Mythological World Picture (Chapters 1-3); 1.3: After Mythology (Chapters 4-6); 15.3: Socrates and Plato (Chapters 7-9); 29.3: Aristotle and Hellenism (Chapters 10-12); 26.4: Philosophy and the Religions (Chapters 13-15); 3.5: Renaissance Humanism and the Baroque Art of Living (Chapters 16-17); 17.5: Descartes and Spinoza (Chapters 18-19); 7.6: Locke and Hume (Chapters 20-21).
--------------------ACHENBACH'S CONCEPTS
--------------------Summary of one of Dr. G. B. Achenbach's presentations at the Second International Conference of Philosophical Practice, Leusden, the Netherlands, August 1996: "About the Center in Philosophical Practice."[1] The following paraphrases are mainly based on a tape recording made by Fred Foulks of a translated summary presented by Dr. Rene Saran after Gerd Achenbach's opening lecture at the Conference. Achenbach considers that it is typical for philosophers to look for essences, the general, in everything. However, this particular philosophical characteristic he finds not essential in philosophical counseling. He prefers to describe philosophical practice negatively--as not therapy (cf. the negative descriptions of God in theology). One may even come to ask if there is anything important in philosophical practice. Nevertheless, two central aspects are important: the counselor and the visitor. For the counselor the client is of central importance and for the client, the counselor. These two central points are compared to the two centers of the ellipse. Then there are three important principles concerning the relationship between these two central aspects: 1) God intended people to be different and therefore one should not treat persons as the same. One should try to look for unique links between a person and his or her history. 2) The counselor needs to understand the innermost and manifold thoughts of the client. The counselor should consider himself as a learner in this respect. There are many possible ways of approaching a visitor. What is important is that the counselor opens his or her heart to the counselee. 3) The counselor should not try to change the visitor. Even goals and intentions in the discussions should be avoided so that the counselee can determine the aim of the talks. Finally Achenbach finds that there are many, indeed very numerous, signposts, but not commands, along the philosophical practitioner's way. One such a road sign he found in a report written by a counselee on his praxis: she compared his work with that of a pilot who has a cheerful relationship with the navigator of the ship. For a translation of the complete text see: Perspectives in Philosophical Practice (Doorwerth: Vereniging Filosofische Praktijk, 1997) pp. 7-15. (c)April 1997, Shlomit C. Schuster. All rights reserved.
______________________ON PHILOSOPHICAL CAFES IN JERUSALEM
______________________According to Jeremy Igger's article in the Internet Magazine Utne, the type of philosophical practice that Marc Sautes began in a Paris cafe is thriving world wide. Yes, Jerusalem has also adopted this latest international fashion. Already some years ago Ettel Weingarten conducted study sessions on Spinoza in a Jerusalem cafe named after the great thinker. I also heard about philosophy evenings by Shalem Coulibaly (in French) in the local Metropole cafe. On Monday 16 March, 7.00 p.m. Shlomit Schuster will reintroduce the idea in the Tmol Shilshom Bookstore Cafe for Hebrew speakers. Subject: On the philosophy cafe and other types of philosophical practice. 5 Yoel Salomon Street, Jerusalem. For reservations: 02-6232758. Visit Tmol Shilshom also in cyberspace!
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