Café Conversations

<p>This collection is the first book in English to look closely at the phenomenon and theory of philosophy in a café. Since the tradition of philosophical dialogue in coffee-houses was revived in Paris in the 1990s public venues for participatory philosophy have sprung up in numerous countries the world over taking many forms all seeking to stimulate intellectual engagement as well as meaningful community involvement and democratic participation. In Paris the original Café Philo is no longer running but other dialogue series including some of the earliest to take root continue to this day. The simple activity of reasoning together in a café is relevant to several areas of philosophy: epistemology including critical thinking; social and political philosophy notably democratic theory; and philosophy of education among other areas. Although a great deal has been written on the theory and practice of philosophy for children little or no concerted exploration has taken place of participatory philosophy in the public sphere despite the parallels in issues and concerns. This book brings together the international voices of numerous facilitators of engaged philosophical inquiry including some of the most prominent together with observers in allied fields to explore practical and organizational issues but also to bring critical and theoretical perspectives to bear on café philosophy.</p><p></p><p>CONTENTS AND CONTRIBUTORS</p><p>Preface</p><p>Acknowledgments</p><p>1. Introduction: Openings (Michael Picard Canada)</p><p></p><p>Part I: Development and Dispersal of a Philosophical Practice</p><p>2. Un Café pour Socrate-Excerpts (Marc Sautet France; translated by Michael Picard)</p><p>3. Café Philosophy: A Practice of Reflective Freedom (Daniel Ramirez Chile/France; translated by Michael Picard)</p><p>4. Filocafe: From the Ivory Tower to a McDonaldization of Philosophy? (Miriam van Reijen Belgium/Netherlands)</p><p>5. Open and Chaotic: Our Café-Philo in Zürich (Albert Hoffmann Switzerland)</p><p>6. What Makes Café Philosophy Possible? (Mathijs van Dijk Belgium)</p><p>7. Ethical Conversational and Logical Norms in Philosophy Café (Tetsuya Kono Japan)</p><p>8. Café Philosophy as a Platform for Long-term Research in Philosophical Practice (Carmen Zavala Peru)</p><p>9. Philosophy Café in Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico (Angelo Cárdenas and Claudia Rubio Mexico) </p><p>10. Missing School at Café Philosophy: Philosophy in the Streets? (Walter Omar Kohan Argentina/Brazil)</p><p>11. What Happens at Socrates Café (Christopher Phillips United States)</p><p>12. Adventures in Café Philosophy: Trajectory of a Community of Ideas 1997-2009 (Michael Picard Canada) </p><p>13. Simon Fraser University's Philosophers' Café: A Synoptic History (Yosef Wosk Canada)</p><p>14. Café Philosophy on the Talking Stick Model (Mark Battersby Canada</p><p>15. Co-Creating a Flourishing Future One Conversation after Another (Brian Fraser Canada) </p><p>16. My Zayde's Stories and Philo Cafés (Meguido Zola Canada)</p><p></p><p>Part II: Theoretical and Conceptual Underpinnings</p><p>17. From Conversation to Dialogue: Philosophical Cafés and the Art of Discussion (Lydia Amir Israel/United States)</p><p>18. John Dewey and Jürgen Habermas over a Cup of Ideas: The Role of Philosophy in the Public (Barbara Weber Canada/Germany)</p><p>19. Two Concepts of Civility (Anthony Simon Laden United States)</p><p>20. But Is It Philosophy? Critical Reflections on Social Reasoning and Café Philosophy (Michael Picard Canada)</p><p>21. Philosophy Sports as the New Café Philosophy (Michael Picard Canada)</p><p>22. The Parrhesiastic Game: Speaking Frankly as Care of Self (Elly Pirocacos Greece/Canada)</p><p>23. Communications in the Cosmic Café: A Universal Choreography (Yosef Wosk Canada)</p><p></p><p>The Contributors</p><p>Name Index</p><p>Concept Index</p><p></p>