I moderated a part of the closing session in which I asked the participants to summarize their impressions in a short sentence. This apeared to be a hard exercise for philosophers, used to elaborate on topics. Some bluntly refused the exercise. However, Descartes or Wittgenstein could summarize the core of their thinking in short statements, and also in consultation I think summarizing is an important competence of a counselor. The brainstorm evolved anyhow, and the impression emerged that philosophical practice is a philosophical life. It is not to be seen as a means to an end, but as a way to exemplify a philosophical life in interacting with the visitors of a practice, groups or society. Some fine examples of this were given for instance by Willi Fillinger from Switzerland in a presentation of his practice, but also in demonstrations of consultations by Oscar Brenifier and Neri Pollastri. In elaborations on the philosophical practice attempts were made to define the experience or the different forms of it. The concept of a philosophical community is important in this. The conference as such is a place to meet and exchange experiences. What experience lies behind or even in philosophical practice? This theme will be picked up in the next international conference on philosophical practice, hosted by the Dutch Association for Philosophical Practice. It is planned in 2010 in The Netherlands. I am looking forward to it.

Peter Harteloh, Ph.D.

Philosophical counselor

Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

At the IXth International Conference on Philosophical Practice in Carloforte (Italy, july 2008), it was decided to hold the Xth International Conference on Philosophical Practice in The Netherlands in 2010.

Motivation: Why another international conference on philosophical practice? In december 2009 the VFP will celebrate its 20th anniversary. This anniversary is an occasion for refelction on the nature of philosophical practice. Often, this nature is stated in terms of thought or thinking. However, in the Dutch tradition of philosophical practice, the use of experience is highly valued, both in individual philosophical counseling and coaching, in working with groups, and in advising organisations. We want to explore this theme in an international conference as an impuls for philosophical practice.

Central question: What is the meaning of experience (Erfahrung) in philosophical practice? E.g. How do we work with experience in the various forms of philosophical practice? Which experiences turn the meeting of a practitioner and a client into a philosophical consultation? How can practitioners use a dialogue or didactics to create a philosophical experience of clients?

Goal and aim: We want this conference to show the various ways of working with experiences. The conference is about the role of the client's experiences in the encounters and dialogues, about the role of the practitioner’s experiences during consultations, and about the role of philosophical experience as such, for example the aporia, in consultation. We aim at keeping the conference as practical as possible. Practical philosophers will be asked to show  their activities and to share experiences with participants of the conference. We will start from experience. In group and plenary sessions we will elaborate on these experiences in order to deepen the theory of philosophical practice, for example by relating experiences to the work of philosophers, such as Socrates, Nietzsche, etc. The conference will provide (discussions about) demonstrations of:

1.     Philosophical experience in personal and group consulting, Socratic dialogue, didactics, education, trainings, city walks, etc.

2.     The client's/participator's experience as vehicle and/or target of philosophical counseling

3.     Criticism of the use of experiences in philosophical counseling

Topics: Demonstrations, workshops and theoretical reflection. We will:

• Explore the nature of philosophical experience (Erfahrung) in different forms of philosophical practice (dialogue, didactics, coaching)


• Discuss lessons learned from counseling, Socratic dialogue, philosophy in organisations, philosophy with kids in terms of experience


• Elaborate on the natural learning and experience in education and training


• Relate experience and the philosophical biography to everyday life (art of living)

Participants: philosophical counselors and coaches, Socratic (dialogue) facilitators, philosophical advisors/consultants, teachers, persons involved in philosophy.

Organized by:

• The Dutch Association for Philosophical Practice (VFP)


• International School of Philosophy (ISVW, Leusden)

Place: The Netherlands, Leusden, ISVW (International School of Philosophy). The ISVW is a conference hotel situated in the woods near Utrecht, in the middle of the Netherlands, easy reached by car, train or airplane. It accomodated the II^nd ICPP in 1996.

Time: August 2010.

Enquiries: Reinskje Talhout (info@filosofischconsulent.nl) Dutch Association for Philosophical Practice (VFP), secretary of the organizing committee, or at the VFP website www.verenigingfilosofischepraktijk.nl.

The Dutch Association for Philosophical Practice (VFP): is a professional organisation of philosophical practitioners since 1989, counting 132 members from Holland and Flanders of which 55 hold a philosophical practice. Our members are involved in individual counseling and coaching, Socratic dialogue, education and training, organisational advice and philosophy with kids. Professionalism and modernization are key words to characterize our policy. We facilitate trainings, have initiated certification of philosophical counselors and Socratic facilitators, starting up a registration of practitioners, and explore the different aspects of philosophical practice regularly in meetings for both members and non members.