SOCRATIC EVENTS 2023
Socratic skills to practice listening and becoming more compassionate.
Introducing TWO recorded events:
Civil Discourse Workshop. Learn from our special presenters how to engage in respectful Civil Discourse.
3-Day Socratic Soul Seminar. Practice socratic, body and mind techniques for self-discovery in a safe community setting.
Christopher Phillips, author of Socrates Café.
My wife and life-partner Cecilia Chapa Phillips, and I have dedicated our lives to for the past 26 years, as our ambitious contribution toward making ours a more lovable and livable world --in this case, through a form of inclusive inquiry as rigorous and methodical as it is imaginative and even whimsical, a form of inquiry that is the epitome of love.
our vision
Our initiatives make it possible for people to approach one another with greater openness, and less fear. They cultivate connectedness, and forge bonds that can galvanize diverse people to take unified action for a greater good.
Our work
We have disseminated a unique version of the Socratic method that we have applied into all types of settings from prisons to senior centers, hospices and all levels of education and beyond.
Practicing Civil Discourse Workshop
OnIn this recorded workshop, learn from cutting edge experts on Socratic Inquiry, Modern Stoicism and Rational Discourse, skills you can apply in your conversations and how to relate with self and others.
1
Practice challenging yours and others' assumptions and perceptions
Learn about the neuroscience of safety and the role it plays in civil discourse, and how we can create communities of inquiry where we can strengthen community and Social Engagement.
2
Build Bridges Of Communication
Learn the considerations and techniques for rational discourse in order to have better connections where we see each others' humanity beyond our differences. Learn the difference between speaking from our emotion vs having a rational conversation as the foundation for civil dialogue.
3
Mindful Interactions
Become familiar with the foundations of modern stoicism and how it relates to civil discourse, and practice noticing judgement -not things- as the source of upset. Learn how stoics see anger and how you can understand this emotion for better communication.
HUMAN ENCOUNTERS
Practice listening and becoming more curious and imaginative about different views.
In a polarized world -and a world in environmental and humanitarian crisis- we need civil discourse more than ever in order to communicate, understand, and question our way of living and find new ways of relating to one another and the world we are part of.
our special guests
Dr. Carl Colavito
a Socratic kind of guy
MA in Political Science and a PhD in Foundations of Education at The University of Florida. For the past two decades he has taught political science, education, humanities, and philosophy. His research and writings focus on the education necessary to achieve self-mastery both for a deeply fulfilling, beautiful, wonderful life, and to effectively and justly govern a society where we can experience that joyful and healthy life.
Kasey Pierce
writer/editor Metro Detroit
Stoic columnist from Metro Detroit. She is also a content editor of the graphic novel, “Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius” and the editor of “365 Ways to Be More Stoic” in which she wrote some original content. Her forthcoming work is coauthoring the book “The Stoicism Workbook”
Donald Robertson
writer, cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist and trainer
He is one of the founding members of the Modern Stoicism nonprofit, and the founder and president of the Plato’s Academy Centre nonprofit in Athens, Greece. Donald is the author of several books on philosophy, history, psychotherapy, and self-improvement, including How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius.
3- DAY SOCRATIC SOUL SEMINAR EVENT
Practice Socratic, body and mind techniques for self-discovery, in a safe community setting.
Although suffering is an unavoidable part of the human experience, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Having gone through tragedy in our lives, has lead us to discover and integrate, Socratic and cut-edge scientifically based practices that have enriched our method and our lives.
3-SESSION SEMINAR EVENT
Transform Grievous Hurt, Betrayal And Setback Into Love, Joy And Compassion.
The Socratic Soul Seminar explores a question each day through a dialogue facilitated by Christopher Phillips. Learn from our presenters body and mind techniques for self-discovery in a safe community setting.
Meet the co-presenters for this 3-day event
Kirti Salwe Carter and Rob Carter
authors of The Morning Mind: Use Your Brain to Master Your Day and Supercharge Your Life
Whose work -based on neuroscience and medicine- give us practical everyday tools to help us manage the fear-driven reptile brain and activate the part linked to thinking and imagination.
David Hanscom, MD
Author of Back in Control
Who in his 15-year experience suffering from chronic mental and physical pain, discovered that these are solvable by using tools to calm your body’s stress response and also rerouting your nervous system.
Dr. Annahita Mahdavi West
Author of the poetry book "Dusty Relics" Iranian-American psychologist
She is a passionate advocate for social justice and is an activist for Equity, Criminal Justice Reform, Drug Policy Reform, and Immigration Reform and refugee rights. Author of the upcoming poetry book “Dusty Relics”.
Roger Breisch
Author of Questions that Matters
Author of Humanity’s Journey Home: Surrendering to the Wholeness that is Gaia. His broad experience in challenging others to see life through new lenses, has saved thousands of lives by answering suicide hotline and inviting others to choose life by holding on to their deepest yearnings and desires.
Inside Soul of Goodness Seminar
Explore our agenda for each day through a dialogue.
Session one: Forgiveness.
Cecilia Chapa Phillips and Christopher Phillips will introduce the topic of the day which will lead onto the Socratic dialogue in which all participants will take part: When is forgiveness difficult but necessary? Dr. David Hanscom will present the role of unpleasant thoughts (the psyche) creating flight or fight physiology (emotions). Anger is a hyper-activated threat state. Healing occurs by learning skills to create calm the nervous system and create a sense of safety. Processing anger, including forgiveness, allows awareness and compassion to emerge. Rob and Kirti Carter will share simple and effective techniques to reduce stress, improve sleep, increase energy and improve well-being.
Session two: Rediscovering Joy.
Dr. Annahita Mahdavi West will share her expertise and personal experience on resiliency in the face of atrocities, and what it means for her to achieve the ultimate joy in life. Roger Breisch will discuss his experience in answering calls on the suicide line, and how his approach to challenge others to connect to their deepest yearnings and desires helps them to see the light on the other side of the tunnel and find wisdom and joy. Participants will then take part on a Socrates Cafe dialogue on the theme of the day: How do you rediscover joy after grievous loss, suffering and setback?
Session three: Overcoming Difficulties.
Author Christopher Phillips will introduce the theme and talk about his personal experience in loss and setback, and will then invite all participants to take part in a live Socratic dialogue ala Socrates Café on the question: How do we overcome setback and loss in life? Dr. Rob Carter and Dr. Kirti Salwe Carter will introduce the premise of their book The Morning Mind, and how to tap into the “wizard” in your brain so that you can bounce out from setbacks and out of bed with practical tools to activate more of your wizard brain for a healthier, happier life.
Buy together or individually
You can purchase these Socratic events individually or as a Bundle
Civil Discourse
- Civil Discourse Workshop
- Unlimited views for one person
- Handouts
- Bonus Recording of Exclusive interview with Dr. Robert George
Socratic Events BUNDLE
- Civil Discourse Workshop AND Soul of Goodness
- Life-time access of recordings of all sessions
- Handouts of all sessions
Soul of Goodness Socratic Seminar
- Recordings of all Three Sessions
- Handouts of all 3 Sessions and Resources
- Unlimited access for one person
Get in touch with us!
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We encourage you to facilitate your own Socrates Café, click here for information on how to start one and facilitate one.
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