Charity No
313712
Bulletin No 4
International Conference in the Netherlands
9-15 August 1998, on "Socratic Dialogue; The Dutch Experience" at the International School of Philosophy, Leusden, Amersfoort. This event was a follow-up of the 1996 event in England, which had been organised by SFCP in cooperation with PPA. The Dutch event was subsidised by ourselves and the PPA. The Conference attracted 50 participants, mainly from Britain, Germany and Holland, in addition to smaller numbers from Belgium, Denmark, Canada, Australia and Mexico. Four Socratic Dialogue groups were facilitated by Dries Boele (Netherlands) on "What is courage?", Dieter Krohn (Germany) on "How do I know a statement is wrong?", Pieter Mostert (Netherlands) on "Is imitation a virtue?", Rene Saran (Britain) on "What is the basis of trust?" Experiencing Socratic Dialogue (SD) at first hand was followed by a range of workshops and presentations about how practice of the SD had evolved in the Netherlands, including its use in the world of business and services like hospitals, banking, etc. This was a stimulating week. Ideas were generated which we expect to be taken up in the next international event in the year 2000, which may take place in Germany.Awards & Scholarships
1. The SFCP's Morva Fordham postgraduate studentship in
Ethics and Healthcare Practice is held at Kings College, London. How
nurses secure patient consent to health care procedures is the subject of
a doctoral study by the award holder who is also an experienced
nurse.
2. A classical scholar from the University of Victoria, British
Columbia, Canada, has been awarded a one-year grant to complete his PhD
(in Paris), and will spend the second six months as a Research Fellow at
King's College, London, to work on a book about "Practical Philosophy.-
the Primacy of the Ethical", comparing the ideas of some classical writers
with those of the post-Kantian Critical Philosophy, especially Leonard
Nelson and Grete Henry-Hermann. This is intended to make the ideas of
these German authors more accessible to the English speaking world.
3.
Professor Fernando Leal (University of Guadalajara, Mexico) held a
two-months research grant during the summer of 1998 to prepare his paper
for the International Conference in Leusden on "The relation between value
conflicts and the Socratic dialogue", and a second paper on "The 'special
relationship' between critical philosophy and scientific knowledge". Both
will appear in Vol 2 of our Occasional Working Papers in Ethics & the
Critical Philosophy.
4. The Society's Mary Saran studentship in Ethics
and Human Rights helped a Bosnian woman refugee to complete her degree in
English in London. She has now returned to work in Sarajevo. A book published in
Serbo-Croat by our other scholar from Sarajevo, merits translation into
English. The Society is making a grant for this in cooperation with Celia
Hawkesworth, of the "Academic Lifeline for Bosnia" and "Sarajevo Charter",
who is Senior Lecturer in the School of Slavonic Studies at London
University.
Socratic Dialogue
Since the last Bulletin Rene Saran has facilitated three further Socratic Dialogues in Britain. One was organised (27-29.3.98) by the Adult Education Department of Glasgow University in cooperation with SFCP, on "What are the limits of autonomy?"; the second (3-5.4.98) was organised by Dorothy Moir with assistance from Judy Barker, on the Isle of Wight, on "What is the basis of trust?; the third (25.6.98) was held at Hampstead Comprehensive School for members of the School's Student Council, age range 12-17, on "How do laws affect us?" A similar session held at the school last year was written up for publication in a forthcoming issue of Management in Education.New Technology
The Society purchased computers for Desk Top Publishing, e-mails and net surfing. Eventually we hope to do many of our trustee/management "meetings" in computer/tele-conferencing mode.Other Activities
In April 1998 SFCP published Vol 1 of the new Occasional Working Papers in Ethics and the Critical Philosophy. These were edited by Patricia Shipley, who is now preparing Vol 2. Comments on articles are welcome, as well as suggestions about people who would be interested to receive a copy. As our Professional Adviser Pat is also working on a plan of Society activities for the next 5 to 10 years. In May this year she saw our scholars in Sarajevo whilst visiting Bosnia as a delegate at an International Women's Peace Conference. Rene Saran is in regular contact with German colleagues from the PPA and the Society of Socratic Facilitators and attends their meetings. Increasingly SFCP is engaged in joint planning with German and Dutch colleagues. Ideas-sharing is likely to include new topics like the psychology of groups when engaged in Socratic Dialogue, and the training and qualifications of Socratic facilitators.Working Statement on the Critical Philosophy
A Short Statement is in preparation which summarises our definition of the Critical Philosophy, and will be published later on this website.