On Monday, February 5th, 2024, the first Socrates Café with founder Christopher Phillips was held on the topic “How do we recognize cases and acts of gender inequality and violence against women and minorities?” The first in a series of online Socrates Cafés explored the multi-layered nature of gender-based violence issues, with Christopher Phillips leading us through this complex terrain. Within the dialogue, we delved into the role of cultural, traditional, and implicit biases – both those stemming from biological and neurological factors. Everyone can participate in Socrates Cafés. Age, gender, education, faith, nationality, sexual orientation are not important because everyone can benefit from life experience and wisdom. Those who participate in Socrates Cafés share the feelings of the philosopher Socrates, which include passionate but also fictional exchange of ideas. Participants of the first workshop exchanged their opinions and experiences about the various forms of gender-based violence present in their surroundings, as well as what steps could be taken to eliminate it in different spheres. The workshop was held in English language.
A reminder that Professor Phillips completed his Master of Arts in Humanities, with a focus on philosophy, at the University of California in 2000. He also holds a Master’s degree in Natural Sciences from Delta State University. Phillips earned his PhD in Communication from Edith Cowan University in Australia. In 2012, he received the Distinguished American Leadership Award. He has also taught at New York University and the University of Pennsylvania. “Socrates Cafés” are gatherings around the world where people from different backgrounds come together and exchange philosophical perspectives based on their experiences, using a version of the Socratic method developed by founder Christopher Phillips. Today, there are hundreds of such gatherings coordinated by volunteers worldwide.
The next Socrates Café will be held in early March. The recording of the first workshop is available for review: https://youtu.be/A9tj7NHlRp4
