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FAQs

Philosophy has no definitive answers, but a FAQ page does! Scroll through this  page to learn about philosophical education and the 'circles' method. 

Why Philosophy?

What is Philosophy?

In Greek, Philosophy means ‘the love of wisdom’. It is used in two primary ways in our language:

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  1. Philosophy of Life: Refers to the set of values or principles guiding an individual's or business's decisions and actions. For example, "Always be kind to people, no matter what," might be someone's life philosophy. This type of philosophy is typically static and remains unchanged over time.

  2. Academic Discipline: Philosophy is an academic field that explores big life questions that science cannot answer. It is divided into subfields like ethics (right and wrong), ontology (being), existentialism (meaning of life), philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind. Philosophers are less concerned with finding the right answers and more with the soundness of their reasoning and arguments. They evaluate consistency, reasoning, and alignment with reality, making philosophy a flexible discipline.

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At WyePhilosophy, both meanings are significant. Annie aims for her students to discover their own life philosophies while developing the flexibility to question and refine their beliefs, becoming philosophers themselves.

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What is Philosophy Good for?

Many people find philosophy frustrating because it often doesn't provide straight answers. However, WyePhilosophy embraces this complexity and views it as reflective of our relationship with life. Philosophy helps us navigate different answers and become better at asking questions. The benefits include:

  • Enhances curiosity and open-mindedness: Encourages exploration of fundamental questions and an open-minded approach to new ideas.

  • Creates a flexible mind: Helps individuals consider multiple ideas and theories simultaneously, countering one-track thinking and indoctrination.

  • Develops critical thinking: Enables breaking down theories and understanding their origins.

  • Deepens overall understanding of life, the universe, and everything: Clarifies and enriches the principles by which we live, especially in ethics, politics, morality, and responsibility.

  • Fosters understanding and compassion: Encourages comparing and contrasting different ideas, leading to a better understanding of diverse cultures, religions, and perspectives.

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Who is it for?

Everyone has the potential to be a philosopher. Our cognitive capacities for curiosity, questioning, and idea development are innate and persistent. Annie's youngest student is five, while her oldest is over seventy. Philosophy transcends boundaries of race, religion, culture, gender, and nationality.

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Who is Annie?

Annie Webster, PhD, is an approachable philosopher and teacher who put all of this together! With a blend of academic expertise and a passion for non-formal education, she creates engaging and accessible philosophy experiences for all.

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Check out Annie's About page here.

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Wye Why Philosophy?

Wye Philosophy takes a refreshingly new approach to philosophy, aiming to make it accessible and fun for everyone. Named after the winding River Wye, this philosophy reflects Annie's approach—fluid, natural, and ever-changing. Just like the river, philosophy is part of nature, encouraging exploration and a deep connection with the world around us.

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Check out the about page here.

Philosophy Circles

What is a Philosophy Circle?

A Philosophy Circle is a space for real conversations inspired by philosophical thinking. These circles help develop thinking skills through live, intentional dialogue. Participants sit in a circle, facing each other, to foster interaction and discussion. Annie, originally trained by The Philosophy Foundation, facilitates these circles, keeping discussions on track and inviting deeper questions.

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Types of Circles at Wye Philosophy:

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Benefits of Participating in a Circle

In a circle, participants can separate their ideas from themselves, allowing for a more flexible and free exchange of thoughts. This setting encourages:

  • Articulating personal thoughts

  • Listening with care

  • Recognizing agreement or disagreement with others

  • Building ideas and understanding as a community

  • Communicating agreements and disagreements respectfully

  • Engaging in critical yet respectful discussion

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Who are the circles for?

Philosophy circles are for everyone willing to participate. Age categories can help manage cognitive differences, but Annie often runs mixed-age family circles as well. Accessibility considerations are always welcome.

Circle Guidelines and Rules

In the Philosophy Circles, Annie strives to foster an environment that is safe and conducive to thoughtful exploration and dialogue. To facilitate meaningful and respectful discussions, we have established a set of guidelines, and rule.. These principles are designed to maintain a safe and engaging atmosphere for all participants, regardless of their level of experience with philosophy. We encourage everyone to navigate our conversations with clarity, respect, and a spirit of inquiry.

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Guidelines for Discussion:

  • The primary goal is to deepen and broaden understanding of a philosophical topic.

  • There is no winning or losing viewpoint.

  • Discussion is essential; debate is allowed, but it's not the primary aim.

  • All people and views are welcome.

  • Controversy and disagreements are expected.

  • Respect and kindness are mandatory when listening to others and sharing your own thoughts.

  • Participants can change their minds as often as they wish.

  • Clear reasoning for thoughts, ideas, opinions, arguments, and theories is encouraged, however, try to keep your statements to the point.

  • It's okay to say "I don’t know" or "this is just how I feel" and then ask the circle for help in articulating your perspective.

  • Ideas and thoughts shared by participants are not a reflection of the participants themselves; this level of detachment promotes open dialogue and allows for a free flow of conversation.

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Rules for Discussion

Rules can vary based on the experience of the group and the number of participants, but here are the basics. If a group is more experienced and able to maintain their own flow of conversation, some rules may be relaxed. However, they can be reintroduced if necessary, as governed by the facilitator (Annie). Overall, participants should listen to the facilitator, who will guide the discussion.

 

The Facilitator

The facilitator is ultimately in charge and has the final say. Annie will lead the discussion and ensure it remains productive.

  • The conversation is kept as open as possible, but if a participant rambles or speaks too long, Annie will intervene to ask them to come to the point or wait until they can make a clearer statement.

  • Annie will provide structure to the discussion as needed, such as scheduling breaks, refocusing the conversation, or offering further questions.

  • She will also listen for questions or topics arising from the group and may choose to follow these instead of her planned agenda.

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Rules:

  • Talking Stick: Participants may only speak when holding the talking stick; the facilitator is exempt from this rule.

  • Hands Up: Participants should raise their hands if they wish to speak. The facilitator will designate who can speak next or ask the current stick holder to choose.

  • Hands Down: Hands must be down while someone is speaking to maintain focus on the current speaker.

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Online Rules:

  • There is no 'talking stick' for online discussions, so participants are expected to listen closely to the facilitator’s guidance.

  • Keep your microphone off unless you are speaking to avoid disturbances from background noise.

  • It is preferred that videos are on so everyone can see each other clearly.

  • If using video is not possible, participants can use the 'hand up' emoticon to indicate that they wish to speak.

  • ​Use the chat function for questions or comments that are not immediately relevant, the faciliator will check these during the session. 

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