A sampling of philosophical counseling frameworks, tools, and practices

Abstract

In this paper I first argue for a somewhat paradoxically ‘methodless method’ of philosophical practice that includes as many methods as a practitioner can learn and include in their toolkit, as well as no method. Then I overview over a dozen major things, and some minor ones, that philosophical counselors and other philosophical practitioners might benefit from adding to their philosophical practice toolkits. These include: The DIME framework, 4e Cognitive Science, the 4Ps of knowing, the Gestalt change process model, Philosophical Fellowship (aka Philosophical Companionship), Dialectic to Dialogos, Nelsonian Socratic Dialogue, Self-Determination Theory, the Ikigai Framework, Philosophical Midwifery, the Eightfold Path, the Four Agreements, and Meditation. Where appropriate, I offer what I take to be basic elements of rationale for viewing certain of these items, particularly some that might not appear philosophical from an analytic perspective, as philosophical practice tools as well as an explanation of the basic techniques involved in each tool. In the concluding section, based on already having provided some reasons for thinking otherwise seemingly non-philosophical practices ought to be included in the philosophical counselor’s toolkit, I will add some justify-cation for a broader conception of philosophical counseling that some might think exceeds the legitimate scope of practice for the profession.