(NEW) Guro Hansen Helskog (Norway)

Guro
Hansen Helskog (Norway) - Associate professor, University of South-Eastern
Norway, the main author of Dialogos, an approach to the practice of philosophy
in education published as a series of six books in 2006-2009, project leader
and author of Fortsatt Foreldre (Perpetually Parents), a psycho educative
program developed as part of her work at Modum Bad Psychiatric Hospital. The program
involves philosophical practice elements, and is now offered at all 60 family
offices in Norway through the Norwegian Directorate for Children-, Youth- and
Family Affairs.
What is the Dialogos approach or Wtat does it imply to act ethically? (Workshop)
Presentation Language: English
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.