What is Socrates Café?
Socrates Café is about taking into consideration what people in our group have to say and responding to it, not debating it
Written by Paul A. Benninghoff
Socrates Café was started by Christopher Phillips. His intention was to bring philosophy out of the academic setting and present it to everyday individuals, not just college graduates or scholars of philosophy. Socrates Café is about the process of philosophy and most importantly about asking questions. It is not intended to discuss or debate which philosopher said what or where this philosopher stands on a topic in comparison to another. It is about what we think about the topic. It is about our exploration of the question. That is not to say that quoting philosophers or others is not allowed in a discussion, but the discussion is not meant to solely depend on or revolve around a philosophers study.
Here is an example of one of Christopher Phillips’ Socrates meetings as follows.
He invited eighteen seniors and eighteen third grade children. He seated them alternately, child, adult, child, adult, etc. Over cookies and lemonade they discussed, “How old is ‘so old’?” There is a kind of beauty in this simplicity. Just because it is simple it does not imply a lack of intelligence, especially when people walk away learning something new about themselves or someone else.
Socrates Café is about discussing a topic, sharing our thoughts, our beliefs, our ideas, and our experiences on a topic. Socrates Café is about taking into consideration what people in our group have to say and responding to it, not debating it. It is not about getting everyone to agree with or accept it. Nor is it a vehicle to push thoughts, beliefs, ideas or an agenda on others. This creates a “soapbox orator” atmosphere where people may begin to preach thus causing minds to close rather than open to new experiences.
Most important, Socrates Café is open to every walk of life, regardless of education or philosophical background. In this setting everyone is included in the discussion, whether one wants to just listen or participate. Keeping this in mind we must consider our audience. For example, a scientist writing for an academic journal may use scientific jargon and lingo because his audience is educated in the science he or she is writing about. If the same person is writing for a science magazine, when writing the piece the author would have to take into consideration that his or her audience may not be familiar with the text or have a scientific background, and may have to word his article in terms they could understand, leaving out much of the scientific jargon and lingo. This leads to a better communication of information. When we talk over people’s heads we are not communicating to the best of our abilities, and many will feel left out of the discussion.
Socrates Café may not be for everyone. Those seeking a more academic format of discussion or debate may find Socrates Café not challenging enough for them. People may wish for a discussion that lends itself to debate and focuses on topics requiring specialized knowledge. That is okay. For those who wish for such discussion groups I encourage them in forming a group more fitting to their desires and/or needs. Please keep this in mind for Socrates Café meetings. Also remember, as a participant in Socrates Café we:
- Keep an open mind, suspending judgment the best we can
- Listen with respect
- Speak with heart and meaning
- Seek to understand, not persuade
- Invite and honor diversity of beliefs and opinions
- Strive for honesty and depth
As a facilitator I am trying to keep Socrates Café the safe and rewarding vehicle for open dialogue to everyone that it has been to date. Misunderstandings will and do occur, but I will do my best to keep them at a minimum. I extend my thanks and gratitude to all those who have come and participated. Through you I have gained more wisdom than I have bestowed.
