Philosophical Counseling and Maieutics

(Contribution to an improved quality of life)

Course description

It is rooted in the Socratic tradition, as a search for the Good and the good life. A life without philosophy was never worth living for Socrates. This led to the philosophy of Stoicism, like resulting in Stoic therapy. It is logic-based Counselling with conductive reasoning and Critical Thinking.

We will search for general, commonly held truth that shapes beliefs and scrutinizes them to determine their consistency with other shaped beliefs. We will delve into the way our different worldviews , narratives and perpectives, form the way we think, behave and act.

The formulation of a series of questions set as tests of logic and fact , intended to help an individual or a team to discover their beliefs about various issues; exploring definitions, and seeking to characterize general characteristics shared by various particular instances.

We will support and guide the participants through self-reflection and critical analysis as they consider their issues, needs and goals.

Methodology

Philosophical counselling  exists or occurs  earlier than other forms of therapy or counselling  as a way to address painful and disturbing life problems. It investigates basic life-issues such as what is a meaningful life, what is true love, what is morally right or wrong, etc. So it suitable for every human being who is capable of reflecting on her or his life.

Counsellors and counselee methodological steps are going to be mentioned as a prerequisite element.

The participants will receive toolkits of methods that are easily transferable to their educational settings.

Benefits / Learning objectives

The aim is to enter into a wider societal discussion about the experiential findings and the experiences of those who will be involved, through the active participation of people from every level of the system; social labs identify and act on causes by opening the doors to real progress. It is  also to inform and interact with a wider audience about the role of the stakeholders (participants) in the context of any burning issue, with a philosophical mindset.

Programme

  • Opening and introduction ,
  • A great theory and an effective practice ,
  • (Bonitas, Magnitudo, Eternitas, Potestas, Sapientias, Voluntas, Virtus, Veritas, Gloria) ,
  • Concentric circles: an outer circle and an inner circle,

Local Evening – welcome reception

  • Opening rounds,
  • Method of Elenchus,
  • Draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions,
  • Ways and means of persuasion: Practice the rhetorical argument, recognize the “traps of persuasion”, develop logical reasoning, Invoke emotions.
  • Mindfulness practice ,
  • The exact nature of the elenchus is subject to a great deal of debate, in particular concerning whether it is a positive method, leading to knowledge, or a negative method used solely to refute false claims to knowledge ,
  • Conflict dispute, recognition of one’s ignorance..
  • Methodologies and Practices-Overview of Core Methodologies,
  • Key moral concepts at the time,
  • the virtues of piety, wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice,
  • the implicit moral beliefs of the interlocutors,
  • bringing out inadequacies and inconsistencies in their beliefs, aporia.

Excursion

  • Co-learning from nature and other resilient environments,
  • Practice,
  • Walking reflection.
  • Usage of techniques and tools to generate ideas,
  • Thinking innovatively.
  • Solving problems in a creative way,
  • Evaluating critically proposed ideas,
  • Closing , Certificates & evaluations

Duration:    6 days

Dates:         26 September – 01 October

Location:    Chania – Crete, Greece

Designed for

This workshop is designed for staff members of any organisation active in the field of education, training and Youth who look for a philosophical understanding of their lives, social problems, or even existential issues and feel the need for a different exploration of problem solving. Common topics for work and exploration are :

  • Searching for clarity,
  • Looking for deeper meaning,
  • Wanting to find a better way,
  • Need help facing your challenges,
  • Wanting to explore options,
  • Having difficulty dealing with change,
  • Need to reduce your stress,
  • Grieving the loss of a loved one,
  • Need help developing discipline,
  • Searching for self-fulfillment.

 

We are inviting diverse participants initiating change in their communities and organizations.

This training is also designed for diverse multi-cultural teams, including community leaders and others that are collectively addressing challenges in their working environments.

Instructors

Dr. Markos Perrakis is leadership development & process facilitator, psychologist, speaker and founder of Fractality -EU Training & counselling provider. During the last 20 years he has been working with eclectic systemic appreciative approaches, participatory design methods and Spiritual Intelligence worldwide. He is also Scientific Assistant of SOL (Society of Organisational Learning) and EUMU (European Union of small and medium enterprises) in issues of Strategic Planning, Human Resources Development, Dynamic Governance and European Programs in Greece. He provides training, supervision and facilitation for Professionals, HR Experts, local communities, politicians and NGOs, helping citizens express and transform themselves to a co-creative transition. During the past, in his training portfolio was included very intensively from multinationals,  the  client centric communication and body language as far as political image making for preparation of candidates. He works with people who are sensitive with environmental and societal issues with values and their actions bring a positive social impact to the world.

Miha Andric is an international communication, speech & debate teacher, philosopher, and sociologist. He is currently Director of the National debate organisation (ZiP), Board of Directors of the International Debate Education Association (IDEA), President of the Society for development of Humanities, Head of School Speech & Debate Program Argument (competitively the most successful school debate program in Europe between 2015 – 2018) and the Convenor of the International Philosophy Olympiad (world biggest international philosophy event for youth). He has been serving as Program director of several international debate academies in Middle East, Africa, USA and Europe and has been quest lecturer at universities, high schools and independent educational institutions in more than 50 countries around the world. He specialises in coaching and teaching communication studies and humanities related courses (public speaking, negotiations, philosophy, cultural studies, rhetorics, leadership and team work, soft transferrable critical thinking skills as well media literacy) and in development and implementing international educational programs based on interactive “speech and debate methodology” and collaborative participation. In the role of expert advisor, chief adjudicator or convenor he has implemented more than 100 educational or competitive international events. Miha Andric helped to start or set up many national debate programs around the world and is still acting as a trainer for debate and communication trainers, teachers and coaches in 20 countries. He is involved in many international projects where he lead the expert teams for the development of the interdisciplinary cross-curricular methodologies and teaching materials for different educational environments in formal and nonformal education. In the past he was also holding extra curricular seminars at the University of Ljubljana on the topics of political philosophy and modern ideologies.

Venue

Our program takes place in the Island of Crete, one of the most abundant destinations of the Aegean Sea in Greece – in terms of 5,0000-year culture and breathtaking nature. The venue (workshop & accommodation) is located at the unique 4-star village resort of Porto Platanias in Chania within walking distance from the beach and the village of Platanias.

It is a perfect place to host professional and personal development. During the end of October, the air and the sea are still pleasantly warm – to further support participants in developing their personal strength and resilience.

For more information on the venue,

Please visit: http://www.portoplataniasvillage.gr/

Closest international airports: Chania (24 km); Heraklion (165 km).

Aegean Airlines operates convenient flights to Crete from most of European capitals.

Participation Fee

Option A.

The fee for this course is 780€.

Option A price include

– Tuition fees
– Educational materials
– Certificates
– Beverages and a welcome cocktail

Accommodation and meals are not included in the above fees.

Option B.

Total full package price for participants with double room

Accommodation: 1,300€ (approx. depending on the period) (+200€ single room):

Option B prices include:

– A 5* star hotel accommodation (5 nights)
– Breakfast
– Lunch or dinner
– Tuition fees
– Educational materials
– Certificates
– Beverages and a welcome cocktail

Additional option:

  • A half-day excursion with the group led by locals – €50

Contact us

Questions or concerns? please contact us at [email protected] or call +302106010522.

Erasmus +

If you are a legal entity (profit organization, NGO, University, scientific or cultural institution) and you want to apply for the Erasmus+ funding please read the information below:

Funding

All our training courses are designed in such a way to align with the Erasmus+ quality criteria and to address the various priorities of the programme.

Our team will be glad to assist you, if you need any help with your application.

Application deadline

Please note that the application deadline for Erasmus+ funding is the 19th of February 2025, 13.00 CET.

Questions or concerns? please contact us at [email protected] or call +302106010522.