Practical Philosophy Research Articles

From Contemplation to Counseling: Exploring Philosophical Practice by Constructive-Engagement Strategy of Comparative Philosophy

From Contemplation to Counseling: Exploring Philosophical Practice by Constructive-Engagement Strategy of Comparative Philosophy

Can philosophical counseling be a special profession to be recognized in Romanian society?

The paper is based on a research that refers to a professionalization solution applicable in Romania, as a result of a mediation process, carried out only hypothetically and starting from the analysis of a phenomenon, the philosophical practice, this being continued with the study of some advantages but also criticism expressed by philosophers, practitioners and specialists from other fields, in which each has arguments and interests alike, for which the proposed solution can be considered as a possible hypothetical agreement, resulting from the said mediation process. The study took into account models created in other countries of the world, as well as the experiences of other practitioners in the field, aspects that confirmed the regulatory trend but also an implicit recognition of the profession of philosophical counselor, now distinct from the philosophical practitioner, which we believe can be successfully applied in Romania as well.

The Interplay of Existentialism and Socratic Wisdom in Philosophical Counselling

The paper explores the integration of Socratic questioning in addressing existential challenges within counselling. Through various statistical studies, it evaluates the technique's applicability, highlighting its significance. The study traces the evolution of existential thought and Socratic inquiry, emphasizing their relevance and practical use in counselling. Methodologically, qualitative research with interviews of seven philosophical counsellors and five psychotherapists was conducted. Despite the limited awareness of Socratic questioning among therapists in Romania, there exists considerable potential for its development and integration into therapeutic practices. Findings reveal that Socratic questioning enhances critical thinking and autonomy, particularly in adolescents, but requires careful application with solution-oriented clients and in trauma contexts. A deeper understanding of Socratic questioning is necessary to increase its effectiveness. Future research should validate existing frameworks and explore ethical AI integration to enhance the efficacy of philosophical counselling in contemporary mental health practices.

The Migrant seen as a Philosophical Wanderer: Real Perceptions, Ideals and Fantasies on Foreignness - Philosophical Counselling for Migrants

The nomad spirit has shaped the authenticity of our humanity since the dawn of time. In this process, the cultural self undergoes a transformation or a conversion. Migrants are those who are seeking to pacify some initial anxieties or inner delusions and to do so they are availing of the element of foreignness by settling in or travelling to a distant place. This research asserts that there is a physical abode that grants us a sense of familiarity and security. Individuals anchor their identity in the broadness of these three pillars that give the predisposition of a being-at-home feeling; the childhood home, any place on our emotional axis that is associated with our family or friends and the made up places found in modern, popular stories that blend in with our idealism of what home should mean. Second, the paper will argue, as found in the case study, that the majority of us are psychologically unequipped when we proceed to meeting with the inclemencies of a new political, economical, social and cultural setting of a different country. There is much reflectiveness, aloneness and responsibility in migrants’ decision to engage in the dialogue of interculturality. Hence, the migrant begins to resemble a philosophical figure by means of contemplation, self-transformation, dispelling the impurities of the mind and the soul by carrying out a personal project of outlandishness. Within the presence of the dialogue, we not only perceive what is different from our behavior, but we also take the first step into discovering other life styles and all habits adjacent to them; we participate in the “mutual belonging” of interculturalism. The study will bridge the cultural, social, psychological implications from migration literature to philosophical theories. It represents a humble attempt at connecting philosophical counselling approaches and techniques with existing multicultural guidance services which are present in every country.

Wittgenstein in Cantor's paradise

AbstractThis paper offers an evaluation of Wittgenstein's critique of Cantorian set theory, illustrating his broader philosophical stance on mathematics. By emphasizing the constructed nature of mathematical theories, Wittgenstein encourages a reflective approach to mathematics that acknowledges human agency in its development. His engagement with Cantorian set theory provides valuable insights into the philosophical and practical dimensions of mathematics, urging a reconsideration of its foundations and the nature of mathematical proofs. This perspective aligns closely with the philosophy of mathematical practice, which emphasizes the human side of mathematics by its focus on mathematical practice.

Kant und die metaethische Kritik der instrumentellen Rationalität

Abstract The article discusses the role of Immanuel Kant’s practical philosophy in recent attempts to reformulate the critique of instrumental reason formulated by Max Horkheimer from a metaethical point of view. Here, the focus is on the determination of the relationship between normative and rational aspects with regard to the deontological conception expressed by the imperatives. Using the example of the differing readings of Christine Korsgaard and Konstantin Pollok on the relevance of the hypothetical imperative introduced by Kant in the second section of the Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten for questions concerning metaethics and the theory of action, the author shows that Kant’s practical philosophy can be interpreted both as an affirmative theory and as a criticism of instrumental reason. With Pollok, the article argues on the one hand for a reading of Kant that emphasises the prevalence of the categorical imperative over the instrumental forms of action. Simultaneously, it points to the problems of relating Kantian theorems to the socio-philosophical problems of a critique of instrumental reason that takes an overarching view of philosophical, scientific and social developments.

The practical turn in philosophy: A revival of the ancient art of living through modern philosophical practice

AbstractPhilosophical practice, an art of living rooted in ancient traditions, is enriched by modern techniques such as individual counseling, Socratic group dialogues, and organizational consulting. Philosophical counseling, a key aspect of this practice, employs traditional philosophical frameworks and rational reasoning to address clients' concerns, distinguishing itself from psychotherapy while respecting individual autonomy. The growing Western interest in Asian philosophies also underscores a shared pursuit of wisdom, spirituality, and meaning. This paper examines the development, key features, and leading proponents of philosophical practice, its relationship with academic philosophy, and the tensions between their differing aims and methods. The outlook for philosophical counseling is promising, offering an alternative to medical approaches for existential issues and expanding its scope to personal guidance, conflict resolution, and life‐skill development. Its future trajectory hinges on societal trends toward secularization, the de‐medicalization of mental health, and the increasing recognition of philosophy's intrinsic practical value.

Research and Development Practices within PEM Water Electrolyzer Manufacturing to Support a Circular Economy

Nel Hydrogen has in the last decades substantially invested in R&D efforts to consolidate next-generation PEM stacks and systems towards a commercial pathway for these devices at scale. These innovative tasks have allowed the company to reach much lower values for levelized costs of hydrogen (LCOHs) supported by devices that are much more efficient and lower costs; but that still holds robustness and long-life characteristics. However, to truly represent a sustainable pathway, the production lifecycle needs to be considered, especially related to critical materials such as catalysts and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) used for instance in the membranes. PFAS are beginning to be regulated globally, with a goal of for responsible manufacturing and hence zero disposal to the environment. Recycling programs for the polymers used in electrolyzers can assist in keeping them exempt from PFAS regulations, due to the minimized environmental impact and lack of related emissions. In addition, PEM electrolyzers use a significant amount of platinum group metals (PGMs), including iridium, one of the scarcest naturally occurring elements. Addressing these issues through recycling and a healthy circular economy of these key components is an important part of large-scale commercialization and deployment.Recent customers have already raised questions about supplier philosophy and documentation of environmental practices. In other words, these large-scale market players are looking for instance to be ISO14001 certified; designed to minimize a company’s negative impact on the environment. While recycling of any chemicals is not specifically required by ISO14001, the standards include lifecycle assessments, integration of environmental aspects into product design, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and related topics where recycling would have positive impact on the metrics.At the last 244th ECS meeting in Gothenburg 2023, we have shown how recycling (or PGM thrifting) is ultimately required to meet the IEA projected capacity demands for electrolyzers by 2050, or around 2500 GW globally. Our analysis has demonstrated that above 40% market share can be reached by 2050 for PEM electrolysis, proven that: 1)20% annual Iridium production (ca. 8 tons/year) is allocated for PEM electrolyzer manufacturing; 2) significant PGM thrifting (above 80%) is demonstrated for these devices; 3) life-time and robustness of these new low loading electrodes are maintained; and 4) a circular economy (responsible recycling) is stablished. Repurposing other components such as titanium, stainless steel, and fluoropolymers provides some additional value stream from reclamation as well. For maximum benefit, material collection methods need to be set up within the manufacturing facility, to capture waste materials and scrap, as well as through the field population, so that systems no longer being operated can be reclaimed for materials. This talk will cover some of the business considerations for effective recycling, as well as current practices.

Précis of Movements of the Mind

In Movements of the Mind (MoM; Wu, 2023a), I give a theory of agency that uncovers its internal psychological structure, revealing how creatures with minds do things. While my focus is on things we do 'in our heads', mental actions, the theory concerns all forms of agency. The book also provides a theory of attention and its essential connection to action. It characterizes intention in action as a type of memory for work, drawing on empirical theories of working memory. Further, it reveals the essential role of bias in action, providing an account of various psychological biases. The theory is then applied to three phenomena prominent in philosophical practice: implicit (better, automatic) bias, reasoning deductively, and introspection of conscious perceptual experience.

G-tube placement in patients with robin sequence undergoing mandibular distraction osteogenesis: A multi-institutional review

The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) and rates of postoperative gastrostomy tube (G-tube) placement among patients with isolated and syndromic Robin sequence (RS). This study was a multi-institutional retrospective chart review of patients with RS who underwent MDO at one of three different pediatric tertiary medical centers. The primary aim of the study was to compare rates of G-tube placement following MDO among the three institutions. The primary outcome was analyzed using Fischer's exact test. The secondary aim of the study was to assess for other contributing factors to G-tube placement such as demographic differences, length of hospital stay, and age at MDO. Analysis of secondary outcomes was assessed using multiple logistic regression models. A total of 125 patients met the inclusion criteria, which required RS diagnosis, completion of MDO between 2004 and 2019, and adequate medical record availability. Sixty percent (n = 75) of subjects were categorized as isolated RS (iRS) and forty percent (n = 50) as syndromic RS (sRS). After MDO, 20% (n = 25) of all patients had G-tubes placed. Of the iRS group, 14.7% (n = 11) required a G-tube, while 28% (n = 14) of the sRS group required a G-tube. The post-operative G-tube rate was similar between institutions when considering all patients. When considering only those patients with iRS, the post-MDO G-tube rate at one center was significantly higher than the other two. Overall, most patients with RS did not require a G-tube after MDO, regardless of diagnosis. However, the significant differences in rates of G-tube placement among patients with iRS may indicate differing practice philosophies, surgical protocols, thresholds for G-tube placement, or regional influences between institutions.

Phenomenological reduction with robotic media to relearn how to encounter others: Social robotics as philosophy in practice

Phenomenological reduction with robotic media to relearn how to encounter others: Social robotics as philosophy in practice

CRITICAL ANALIYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF «UNIVERSAL CONCRETENESS» IN VOLTAIRE’S PHILOSOPHY

The article presents a critical analysis of the concept of «universal concreteness» in Voltaire’s philosophy. The content of the ontological and epistemological foundations of Voltaire’s worldview in his historical-philosophical searches is revealed. The abstract nature of the principles of deism and «universal unity» in the philosophy of the French enlightener is the result of the influence of the one-sidedness of representatives of empiricism and rationalism. Voltaire and his associates in their philosophical constructions, argued G. Hegel, proceeded from the principle of universality and the embodiment of the concept of «wit», while the Germans relied on the possibilities of criticism of pure reason. The potential possibilities of the concept of «universal concreteness» in Voltaire’s worldview form the basis of his theoretical and practical philosophy, in particular of human existence, morality and free will.

Spiritual Disciplines in Philosophical Counseling Clinical Education with the Self-Dialogue Seminar

In order to contribute to the discussion of pathological problems that occur in today’s “phase transition phenomenon of relationship,” this article focuses on “self-deception”—an example of a distorted relationship with oneself. It explores ways to overcome such issues through philosophical counseling. The specific measure is the Self-Dialogue seminar, a part of the Philosophical Counseling Clinical Education (PCCE) program. The second Section, therefore, begins with the question “How do we deal with the phenomenon of self-deception (on the part of the counselor or client) that we might actually encounter in philosophical counseling?” and discusses where and how philosophical counseling can intervene in the entire process of self-deception. In preparation for the possibility of encountering different levels of self-deception, the third section examines the contexts of three types of self-deceptions. The fourth section explores the possibility that a client or philosophical counselor can discover and change their own points of deception through the Records of Self-Dialogue seminar. Finally, the article argues that philosophical dialogue, if attained within a community predicated on individual equality and mutuality, can be a valid prescription for self-deception in the modern world.

The Foundations Of A Nation’s Existence In Maghakia Ormanyan’s Arguments

It is an obvious philosophical truth that people turn to eternal, unchanging values when they find themselves in uncertain, crisis or declining situations during historical and political scandals, as well as in the periods preceding violent cultural-civilizational movements, when in the search for new value orientations, the foundations of national existence, the universal essence of existence, universal principles of existence, reflections on human existence, self-interpretation and worldview become primary. Discussions of the problem of practical philosophy are also activated on the basis of theoretical concepts. These universal patterns are also characteristic of the Armenian reality. In particular, in the process of searching for possible ways of solving the Armenian Question in Western Armenia at the end of the 19th century, the scientific and philosophical analyzes of the genealogy of the Armenian nation, the factors of preserving the national identity, and the legality and justice of the reform of the political existence were important.

Features of Feminist Approach to Scientific Research

Feminist philosophy is one of the leading areas of contemporary philosophy. It has been actively developing over decades and has significant contributions in various areas of theoretical and practical philosophy. Feminist philosophy of science is particularly interesting, as it is primarily responsible for feminist formulations of basic methodological statements of feminist approach to scientific research. The goal of this article is to determine the main features of feminist approach to scientific research. In order to achieve this goal, the article analyzes the main ideas of feminist philosophy of science regarding the criticism of the ideal of value-free science, reviewing and rethinking the meaning of objectivity, and reflections on feminist methodology. Accordingly, the article consists of an introduction, three parts, and conclusion. The first part is dedicated to the causes and effects of feminist criticism of the value-free ideal of science. In the second part, feminist reflections about objectivity are outlined, drawing on the views of such prominent feminist philosophers as Sandra Harding, Helen Longino, Elisabeth Lloyd, and Heather Douglas. The relevance of these reflections for feminist historiography of philosophy is also noted. The third part addresses the question of whether there is a feminist method and explores the traits and typical properties of a feminist methodology. In conclusion, the main features of feminist approach to scientific research are formulated. These include attention to the role of values in producing and applying scientific knowledge, a preference to explanations that account for details and complexity over simplification and generalization, consideration of women’s experience, consideration of usefulness of diversity within scientific communities to mitigate assumptions and prejudices, belief is compatibility of objectivity and value-ladenness, openness to criticism, and self-reflection.

Kant’s Importance for European Philosophy. The Perspective of Hermeneutic Philosophy

The article is a short presentation and critical evaluation of the main aspects of Kant’s theoretical and practical philosophy. It focuses on ontological consequences of the so-called Copernican turn that places man in a self-created, phenomenal world, cutting off any hope for his contact with the transcendent reality, independent of man’s cognition. The only escape from this danger of the subjectification of reality is, unjustly criticized, Kant’s acknowledgment of Ding an sich. In the area of practical philosophy, Kant’s ethics of categorical imperative, of good will and the fact of freedom, is an interesting but indefensible project of formal and autonomic ethics that, unfortunately, due to its elitist conclusions cannot fulfil the task of teaching morality. In the light of development in cultural anthropology and hermeneutical philosophy of life, Kant’s position needs to be significantly updated.

The practical philosophy of Immanuel Kant and the modern ethics of responsibility

The article deals with the practical philosophy of Immanuel Kant, its transformation in the modern ethics of responsibility and the significance of «risks and threats» for modern society. It is emphasized that in Ukraine, in particular, in the H.S. Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, a powerful historical-philosophical tradition of research in German classical philosophy has developed, the foundation of which is the philosophy of I. Kant. This trend gained a new development after the restoration of Ukraine's independence. Special attention was paid in the investigation to the study of Kant's moral philosophy, its important component – the categorical imperative. It is shown that Kant's practical philosophy became an important driver of the leading trends of modern philosophy in the world, which was manifested in the process of «rehabilitation of practical philosophy», which includes the philosophy of responsibility of H. Jonas, communicative philosophy and ethics of discourse. These trends prompted the search for new formulations of the categorical imperative. The relevance of Kant's practical philosophy is evident especially today, under the conditions of modern technological civilization, the destruction of the normative order in the world, and the crisis of moral guidelines. Kant's concept of the primacy of the practical (moral and ethical) mind over the theoretical, technical and instrumental mind opens up ways to solve the global problems of our time, especially in the conditions of crisis and war. Kant's anniversary coincides with a special period of Ukrainian history: the modernization of Ukrainian society, the restoration of national identity, and orientation towards universal values. This event acquires special significance in view of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Distorting the enlightment, moral-ethical and universalistic direction of Kant's philosophy, Russian propaganda tries to use it for ideological and propaganda purposes. That is why events dedicated to Kant's anniversary are an important component in the fight against the Russian aggressor.

철학상담으로서 실천가능한 철학교육 모든 가치의 전도

The true value of philosophy is that philosophy should not only pursue theoretical truth but should also play a role in participating in and helping with the pain of life. Therefore, the practical possibilities of philosophy can be found in philosophical counseling. In his early The Birth of Tragedy(1876), Nietzsche recovered ‘Heiterkeit’through Greek tragedy that touches the essence of life, and in Thus Spoke Zarathustra(1883-5), he explored the truth or gained freedom. It shows how to reach Übermensch,’an existential human being who creates new values, through the three stages of mental change that a person must go through. For Nietzsche, the ‘Übermensch’ is a person who finds and achieves meaning in a meaningless life, is an educator who is an example of humanity's self-overcoming and is a new human image that shows the practicability of liberal education. In the Western philosophy world, since the 1980s, a new movement has emerged under the names of Philosophische Praxis and Philosophical Counseling by Gerd B. Achenbach, Germany, to overcome the practical difficulties of philosophy. Nietzsche’s ‘conversion of all values’can show the practical possibility of philosophical education leading to philosophical counseling. The ideal and goal of Nietzsche's philosophy was true education to achieve self-liberation as a human being who educates himself. Now, we would like to look at the core values of Nietzsche's education, which overcomes God and realizes the value as a liberator, in relation to philosophical counseling that helps each human being understand and act in life.

Reinhold's "letters on kantian philosophy": their significance for Kant and german philosophy

The article is devoted primarily to the analysis of Reinhold’s Letters on Kantian Philosophy, published in the “Der Teutsche Merkur” (German Mercury) 1786-1787. The purpose of this analysis is to reveal the peculiarities of Reinhold’s interpretation of Kant’s philosophy, as well as the possibility of the influence of these letters on Kant's practical philosophy and the further development of German idealism in general. To more clearly define Reinhold's own position, the article turns to Reinhold's early works, written before Letters, as well as to the 1790 and 1923 editions of the Letters. Particular respect is given to three topics that are closely related to each other: “Why did Reinhold’s Letters bring fame to Kant?”, “To what extent was Reinhold an independent philosopher?” і “What kind of infusion did his Letters make into the development of Kant’s philosophy and German idealism?” The article proves that before 1786, Reinhold had, in general terms, formed a program for the reform of philosophy, which was critical in its nature and had a clearly expressed practical focus. However, Reinhold's criticism was closer to the criticism of the eclectics and Leibniz than of Kant: it was aimed at overcoming the limitations of the original points of view and assumed a deep knowledge of the history of philosophy. The main reason for the popularity of Reinhold’s Letters lies in his idea of the “scientific revolution” in Germany, which should have become an alternative to social revolutions in other countries of Europe. Formed in “pre-revolutionary” articles, this idea received its justification in the second edition of the Letters. It was the nationalist idea of transforming the Germans into a “nation of scientists”, that became the reason for the rise of national consciousness in Germany and attracted “thinking youth” to it Reinhold's program for the reform of all philosophical sciences from a generally valid point of view gave impetus and largely determined the further development of German classical philosophy: not only Fichte, but also Schelling and Hegel relied primarily on his program. The first edition of his Letters largely determined the main themes of the Critique of Practical Reason, and the second - the Metaphysics of Morals. The second edition inspired Kant to develop a system of criticism and the basic ideas of Kant’s philosophy of law.

Global bioethics in european context

The article analyses the foundations and principles of global bioethics in the European ethical, legal and philosophical contexts. An analysis of European bioethics shows that there are at least three modern models of European bioethics: bioethics as metaethics; bioethics as biolaw; bioethics as applied biomedical ethics. European bioethics originates in the global bioethics of V.R. Potter and F. Jahr, and encompasses not only moral issues of medicine and public health, but also global environmental and social problems. In this context, the convergence of the natural and the human is seen as a rehabilitation of practical philosophy, a further study and development of the principles of practical reason, understood by analogy with the objective laws of nature. The study of constitutions, legislative and legal regulations of European countries has revealed a variety of bioethical principles in the field of biomedicine. However, at the level of legislation in biomedicine, there is a certain influence of the American model of bioethics, biomedical ethics, which is manifested in the principlism methodology and the weak connection between medical and environmental issues. Global bioethics in the European context is characterized by an intensification of bioethical reflection, social relationships and legislative activity in biomedicine within pan-European structures, such as the European Council and the European Union. The defining feature of global bioethics as a phenomenon of European culture and ethos is that its principles can be “activated” only as a semantic and logical integrity. Bioethical principles serve as a kind of harmonising factor of European biopolitics.