community

Philosophy with the Community

Bijak’s programme ‘Philosophy with the Community’ is aimed at the public in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Philosophy with the Community is conducted in various public settings
such as cafes, restaurants, homes for the elderly, clubs and other community venues. 

This programme provides an excellent opportunity to meet, connect and discuss the big questions of everyday life
with people from different communities and backgrounds. 

What is Philosophy with the Community?

This programme engages participants in a philosophical discussion of everyday life issues in an entertaining, yet educational way. Led by a BIJAK facilitator, participants apply philosophical skills (logical reasoning, critical thinking and conceptual analysis) to explore concepts such as freedom, rights, justice, truth, friendship, love, etc. They engage in questions and answers that help them improve their knowledge and gain a better understanding of the topic under discussion.

How is the session conducted?

The session is led by a BIJAK facilitator who instructs, guides and encourages everyone to participate. A stimulus is used to start the discussion. This can be a story, a picture, a video clip, or even an idea. Participants take turns to express their opinions, ask questions and build on each other’s ideas. The result is more knowledge and a deeper understanding of the topic under discussion, besides improved confidence, greater resilience to face life’s challenges and greater discernment.
By training free, reflective minds capable of resisting various forms of propaganda, fanaticism, exclusion and intolerance, philosophical education contributes to peace and prepares everyone to shoulder responsibilities
in face of the great challenges of the contemporary world.
unesco
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

benefits of
philosophy with the community

  • Better problem-solving abilities to deal with difficult peers, people and situations.
  • Better decision-making through improved analysis and reasoning, leading to sensible judgement and responsible behaviour.
  • Increased resilience and greater capacity to manage the stresses of daily life – by learning to discern the true significance of any and every situation and event.
  • Improved confidence to resist pressures from peers, social networks and the media industry to conform to unrealistic or unattainable models and references.
  • Development of social skills such as empathy, tolerance and acceptance of diversity through better emotional awareness and criticism of preconceived or imposed ideas.
  • Better discernment to filter out (dis)information, deceptive advertising, propaganda and fake news.