Philosophical practice as midwifery of the self : How to bridge the gap between philosophical anthropology and individual human existence

Kurzfassung/Abstract

Philosophical practice deals with individuals who bring their particular experiences, expectations and interests into the process. Academic philosophy has mostly neglected this personal side in favour of general philosophical anthropology. But philosophical practitioners need support for dealing with individuality and methods for enhancing personal self-knowledge.
The first part of the text unfolds the narrative approach, the specific ethos of investigation and some basic questioning tools. The anthropological background consists in a wider understanding of Aristotle's definition of human being as zoon logon echon.
The second part presents some methods for the systematic exploration of a self regarding the individual value profile and personal competences. As self-knowledge is a precondition for self-determination, it naturally leads to the development of a personal life-vision. Individual retrospective self-understanding develops into prospective selfrealisation. The text concludes by sketching creative methods for supporting this ongoing birth of the individual self.