(NEW) Guro Hansen Helskog (Norway)

The Dialogos approach to philosophizing towards wisdom was initially developed by Guro Hansen Helskog as a way of facilitating Bildungoriented pedagogy from the mid-1990`s on. Joint investigation of phenomena implied in the Art of living well is at the core of the Dialogos approach, and during a Dialogos workshop we work on philosophical ideas and concepts from logical, emotional, experiential, existential and spiritual starting points and perspectives. Socratic dialogues, guided imageries, pro-con argumentation, philosophical walks, mind-body exercises as well as text- and emotion based dialogues are among the exercises included. It is a form of pedagogical philosophical practice aimed at nurturing our inner lives and relationships by searching wisdom together from different angles. What might be the long term fruits of philosophizing the Dialogos Way? A holistic Dialogos process not only promotes self-knowledge, flexibility of mind, inner peace and understanding of our relations to others and to the world. It also creates flexible relationships and deep connection between people, thus bridging world divides. This is especially important in culturally and religiously diverse contexts where misunderstandings and conflict can arise simply due to differences for instance in habits, values or beliefs. It is also of importance to those of us who live with or work with others, whether children, youth or adults, and whether in families, communities, in education and in organizations. That means: Everybody. Dialogos as free space A Dialogos workshop is thus a school in the classical sense of the word: It is a free space where people can contemplate and reflect together with others upon questions of importance to them, personally as well as professionally. Through philosophizing the Dialogos way, eyes might open. Consciousness might expand. Our being might flourish. In the long run our lives might even become increasingly meaningful, and thus better.

Reflective Practice Research Dialogues: Demonstrating a Format for Research Dialogues based on Philosophical Practice (Workshop) (with Michael Noah Weiss)

Reflective Practice Research, as developed by Anders Lindseth, is one of the very few research approaches rooted in philosophical practice. The approach represents a form of philosophical investigation oriented towards praxis, e.g. the praxis of a professional like a teacher, a nurse etc that is examined and reflected upon. The approach is a form of research not done on or for, but with people, which makes it similar to Participatory Action Research. The focus however, is on philosophical aspects and issues. A Reflective Practice Research Dialogue represents a format or methodological approach similar to T-groups or semi-structured interviews in other research approaches. The purpose of the dialogue is to gather as well as to reflect philosophically upon empirical data together with the respective practitioners. In other words, it is one step in the research process, which will later be followed up by steps involving in depth analysis and dissemination. This format was tried out at the University of South-Eastern Norway together with different professionals from the education sector where experiences from their work practice were philosophically investigated. The intention was to get a deeper understanding of these experiences and with that to improve as practitioners. It is also used with teacher students as part of their philosophical essay writing assignments. In this session the Reflective Practice Research Dialogue is demonstrated with a volunteer from the audience.