Philosophy as Activity

Abstract

In this chapter, we describe, explain and reflect on doing philosophy as a dialogic practice. Ostensive definition or doing what one talks about will play a major role. We explore the ‘philosophical exercises’ as a deeply optimistic voice about (organizational) knowing and awareness. Leadership here entails directly addressing human problems and dilemmas. Not avoidance but exploration; not senseless cliché but valuable advice; not alienation but care for the self, are all involved. The perspective explored here is humanist – that is, it assumes that the problems of human existence can only be addressed by humans and with human means. Human crises and dilemmas have to be met with thought, ideas and spirituality that are human-created and implemented. There are no gods here; it is a radically secular tradition that we explore. But the argument is not atheist; belief and answers, convictions and crises simply are all defined in purely human terms. We deal here with human dilemmas, and with human intellectual and spiritual means.