Guidelines
The key features of philosophical enquiry can be captured by 6 words all-starting with the letter ‘C’ and should be seen as having an overlapping interplay rather than standing alone in isolation from each other. They are aimed towards habits that are Caring, Co-operative, Collaborative, Critical and Creative (of thought through reason and reflection) and seeks to gain a shared Comprehension.
Caring Members aim to be emotionally and intellectually sensitive and supportive toward each other.
Co-operation and Collaboration
Working together and building together with the best interest of the group in mind rather than taking a predominantly self-interested stance. Working and building to what end?
Critical and Creative
It may seem as though critical and creative thinking are different ways of thinking but they are strongly connected.
Comprehension (understanding)
To what extent have people in the group reached agreement or disagreement (such things our founded on our understanding), has any one shifted or modified their thinking?
Caring Members aim to be emotionally and intellectually sensitive and supportive toward each other.
- Taking time and paying careful attention when listening to each other.
- With only one person speaking at a time and all others listening attentively
- In addition, taking care over our thinking, by making time to reflect.
Co-operation and Collaboration
Working together and building together with the best interest of the group in mind rather than taking a predominantly self-interested stance. Working and building to what end?
- In the main, building good relationships with the group and wider community, progressing our understanding of the relationship between self and world.
- In addition, building a community environment where all questions, doubts and challenges can be raised with the assurance of emotional and intellectual support.
Critical and Creative
It may seem as though critical and creative thinking are different ways of thinking but they are strongly connected.
- Critical thought may highlight doubts or flaws in beliefs, arguments and reasoning, in order to reduce or remove such flaws and doubts. To do so, it will often reflect and imagine alternative explanations; as one seeks to modify and/or develop understandings that are more rigorous.
- Likewise, it is our awareness of alternative explanations and developments in understanding that make us more critical. (Two sides of the same coin working as part of a whole to generate philosophical habits for, in principle, the refinement and clarification of our learning and living.)
Comprehension (understanding)
To what extent have people in the group reached agreement or disagreement (such things our founded on our understanding), has any one shifted or modified their thinking?
- Why have people changed their mind or kept to their view, why do they agree or disagree? In what way do the various understandings connect?
- What reflections and questions will help to move our understanding forward?
- What new understandings have been gained and what use and value do they have?