This article explores various interpretations of philosophical counselling. These interpretations
are determined by the nature and status of the key concepts from which they are derived. The first is “critical
thinking”, which a number of authors have based their conceptions on; just two examples are mentioned
in the article—Elliot D. Cohen and Tim LeBon. Many philosophical practitioners, especially those whose
philosophizing is influenced by Socrates, use critical thinking, and indeed believe that it is what philosophical
practice is all about. Pierre Grimes is another example of someone who has been influenced by Socrates.
Eckart Ruschmann and Ran Lahav believe that interpreting world beliefs is the basis of philosophical
counselling. Others think philosophical counselling stems from interpretations of the concept of “wisdom”.
The article also discusses Ran Lahav’s more recent views and those of Gerald Rochelle. The concept of
“virtues” is discussed in relation to the work of Arto Tukiainen, Lydia B. Amir and Jess Fleming.

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• KEY CONCEPTS IN PHILOSOPHICAL COUNSELLING 1