In July 2009 I visited Osaka University and conducted what might be the first master course on philosophical practice in Japan. Focus was on consultation. By training participants in the art of questioning, the art of interpreting and the art of understanding, coming to a full circle in a philosophical consultation, the course aimed at a philosophical life style. This life style has more of a wandering, like in philosophical city walks, than of a rational plan. Critical thinking and philosophical experience are its building blocks.
Philosophical practice suits well into Japanese society. Imagine an atmosphere like in ancient Greece. A lot of schools, religious mostly, next to each other, within an eclectic context. This offers opportunities for a school offering critical thinking as a was of life in stead of religion, just like the schools of Plato, Stoics or Epicures could flourish in the old days. Beside this Japanese religious schools are very eclectic. It offers a place for critical thinking and philosophical practice. Also important lessons can be learned here how to deal with fundamentalism. Philosophical practice in Japan certainly holds a promise for the future.
Important themes in consultation were sense of purpose, meaning of life and diversity. Values that offer a challenge to modern societies and important to work on in philosophical practice. The merge into a quality of life with longevity, high aesthetics and moral value.
Socratic dialogue is already in vogue in Japan. It is used to bridge the gap between universities and society. For example, meetings on science are structured by the principles of Socratic dialogue. Consultation will follow.
Japan has a history of imitating. Since Mejii science from the West, since 800 BC Boeddhism from the East, and there is something mysterious in this imitations. By copying the copy often become better than the original. That is the force of Japan. Maybe it is due to the Zen attitude, the attention for style and the concentration on life. Anyway, it is something that may happen to philosophical practice too. Japan learns fast and improves it in many ways.
During my stay, I encountered the idea of am Asian network for philosophical practice. Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Korea are involved. Critical thinking is the denominator for its activities. It is underpinned by a study of intercultural differences in critical thinking, and gender differences in consultation. These offer opportunities to improve philosophical counselling. The network will present itself and the results of these studies in December 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand, next position itself and then probably will be at the Xth ICPP, Leusden, The Netherlands, summer 2010.
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