Café Philo
Café Philo
…is a regular meeting of people who discuss the ‘larger questions’ of life…
…stimulates real dialogue in an open and comfortable setting…
I have facilitated Café Philos in different environments such as local communities,
seniors in residential care etc.
What is a Café Philo?
A Café Philo is an approach to philosophical discussion, available to all without
distinction of social level, origins, age, level of education or personal culture. Its
purpose is to stimulate dialogue about the larger questions of life in an informal
setting for people who wish to share and learn from others.
What is special about Café Philo?
Café Philo allows a space for you to explore issues in a safe, friendly setting. It is a
chance to express your ideas about what you consider important and interesting
topics and to listen and contribute to the ideas of others. Discussion in a Café Philo
is ‘doing thinking’.
How can Café Philo benefit you?
Taking part in a Café Philo may help you become clearer about your own values,
learn about the values of others and can help you achieve a greater level of self-
understanding. Sharing open and free discussion can help you clarify your own
thoughts. Taking part in a Café Philo can make you a better listener or a better
speaker or both. You will gain intellectual stimulation from hearing a variety of views.
Respecting and understanding different opinions can be mentally stretching and
confidence building. Interacting with others in discussion is enjoyable and
informative. Look at my Thoughts and Reflections to get an idea of how practical philosophy can allow you to think about things that are important to us.
How does Café Philo work?
Your facilitator guides you through the process but does not lecture or give topics
for discussion. The format would be something like this:
Decide on the length of time
Agree rules of discussing
Listen to ideas for a discussion topic
Decide on the topic
Discuss the topic
Summarize the discussion
Think about ideas for next time
Who can take part?
Anyone who is willing to listen and speak in an open friendly way.
What is the history of Café Philo?
In the streets of Athens in the fourth century BC, Socrates discussed philosophy
with anyone interested. His central concern was to question all ideas we held – to
examine the reasonableness of our beliefs. Since Socrates’ time philosophy has
become a subject not much shared with the public. Café Philo is an attempt to
change that.
The idea originated in France in 1992 with Marc Sautet and several friends who
gathered to discuss issues of the day in the Café de Phares in Paris. The idea was
to bring real dialogue back into the community in much the same way that Socrates
had done two and a half thousand years earlier.
Good Listeners and Good Speakers
Good listeners:
Are open and receptive to speakers
Patient with different speaking styles
Know when to be silent
Listen with empathy
Listen in accordance with the speaker’s purpose
Are courteous
Do not engage in side conversations
Are open, honest and willing
Good speakers:
Focus on the topic
Take chances and risks
Think before speaking
Strive for eye contact
Check body language of listeners
Convey integrity
Build on the comments of others
Get to know their audience
Talk with not at their audience
Are open, honest and willing
Do not stray from the topic
Do not give monologues
Do not monopolize time
Taking part in a Café Philo makes you a member of a worldwide movement – check
these out: Philosophy Now (click on Links and Calendar for more information),
Society for Philosophical Enquiry, Philosophical Dialogues (click on The Philo Café
for more information), www.kingstonphilosophycafe.org.uk . Alternatively, look at my Practical Philosophy forum.
Starting a Café Philo
Many Café Philos run as small communities of people who exchange the role of facilitator amongst themselves. Others are facilitated by philosophers. It is very hard to obtain the benefits of philosophy without some strong philosophical input. My advice is, find a friendly philosopher. If you start a Café Philo you may find it useful to advertise it locally. Here is a brochure which I have found useful both in advertising and for distributing to participants at the beginning of the first session.
Café Philo
…an exercise in thinking together…
The intention of the Café Philo
A Café Philo is meant to cultivate new habits of discussion the main purpose of
which is to inspire everyone taking part to inquire further in order to cultivate and
discover their own unique point of view.
General aim for participants
Café Philo is a discussion forum which by making us expert questioners and
listeners helps us become more independent and conscientious thinkers and doers
Role of the philosopher
The philosopher as facilitator will raise important points to universal level and so
show the philosophical in what is being said
Aim of the discussion
The aim of discussion in a Café Philo is not to win but rather, by talking together, to
reach a common understanding of the particular theme
The outcome
Discussion in a Café Philo will rarely reach a final answer but the process will always
provide important insights into the question
Taking part
Do be an active, engaged and respectful listener
Do be open to the ideas of others even if you disagree
Do try to develop coherent and well-reasoned views, supported by examples, of the
universal view under discussion
Do question the views of others
Do not monopolies time when speaking
If you want to know more about Café Philo or want help in starting one
please contact me
