As well as Socratic Dialogues, as an independent charity the Society organised Colloquia and International Conferences in cooperation with its international affiliates. Here are some dialogues, meetings, conferences over the last 25 years.
2025
What are the limits of Cultural Sensitivity?
Facilitated by Anna Bromley
At the Lancaster Hall Hotel, London W2 3EL
2025 July
Why does truth matter?
Suffolk. With 10 participants from Liverpool, London, and local we spent 1.5 days under the hornbeams in Kaliwood, in dialogue with the question Why does truth matter? Facilitated by Rachel Kellett. Reflections here.
2024
What makes a good life?
In what circumstances is it right to stop helping
What makes a good life?’ facilitated by Julie-Marie Ffrench Devitt
‘In what circumstances is it right to stop helping?’ facilitated by Jayne Crow
Report and photographs
2024
‘What is my responsibility in relation to climate change?’
Durham
Focusing on the pressing issue of the climate crisis. Further details can be found here.
Thirty-three participants from various parts of the UK and Europe gathered at Grey College, Durham University, UK, for the Colloquium. Our theme was ‘Philosophy in the Community’, framed by three overarching questions:
What is the poten,al of dialogical philosophising for healing conflict, inspiring collec,ve ac,on for change and empowering groups and individuals?
What are some of the benefits and challenges of engaging people in community philosophising?
How do we reach people who would not normally think of doing philosophy, and how do we facilitate groups of people from diverse economic, cultural and religious backgrounds?
2024 February
When thought takes Flight
Sheffield
Collaboration with SFCP and Think together Sheffield in the Millennium Gallery
Report and photographs
2024 January
When should we use artificial intelligence?
London
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a much-discussed topic at present, with citizens, businesses and governments debating its potential for good and harm. Facilitated by Anna Bromley.
2023 October
What is my responsibility for the future?
London
Dialogue facilitated by Dieter Krohn
Lancaster Hall Hotel, London
2023 August
What are the limits of my responsibility for others?
Woodland dialogue in Kaliwoods, Suffolk Facilitated by Rachel Kellett. Report and photographs
2015 – 2023
Philo Café on the Isle of Wight UK:
Philo Café on the Isle of Wight
Café Philo, or Philo Café, begun in 1992 at the iconic Café de Flore in Paris, regularly took place in Cowes town library. Organised by Dorothy Moir it was sponsored by the SFCP and the Supporters of Cowes Library.
2022 November
When is it right to lie?
London
A Socratic Dialogue in a ‘post-truth’ era
Facilitated by Sarah Banks
Lancaster Hall Hotel, London
Report/Reflections by Rachel Kellett
2022 August
Philosophy and Politics Conference to celebrate the centenary of PPA
Spriinge, Germany
This international conference was to celebrate of 100 years of PPA and SFCP, begun in January 1922 by Leonard Nelson when he established the Philosophisch-Politische Akademie (PPA) Report summary by Rachel Kellett . Report by Madelaine Angelova
2022 May Mathematical Socratic Dialogue in Finland
Finnish Philosophical Practice Network and Society for the Furtherance of Critical Philosophy held a Mathematical Socratic Dialogue in Helsinki May 2022.
Report by Anu Virtanen
2022 July
Hermann and Friends Conference
Utrecht
Dieter Krohn’s report on the Conference “Hermann and Friends, discussing recent documents from estate of Grete Hermann
Report by Dieter Krohn
2021-2022
2022 Socratic Dialogues with the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
The Royal College of Physicians worked with SFCP to undertake a formal research evaluation of the Socratic Dialogue process in collaboration with the East of England Deanery. Over the last two years, several Socratic Dialogues have taken place with the Heads of School and trainee physicians to explore topics such as tackling unprofessional behaviour and breaking bad news.
Typical questions include:
What makes a good doctor?
What is the best way to break bad news?
What is good clinical leadership?
What makes a good death?
How do you challenge the opinions of senior physicians?
Facilitated by Dr. Julie-Marie ffrench Devitt
2020
When is it right to disagree
The first socratic dialogue in Kaliwoods, when is it right to disagree. Dialogue over 2 days. Report and photographs .
2020-1
Zoom Socratic Dialogues
During the pandemic when face-to-face Socratic dialogues were not possible, Anna gave online dialogues a go with a small group of people she had met over the years including friends, colleagues and fellow Socratic dialogue facilitators and participants. The questions centered on a range of philosophical and humanistic ideas like freedom, tolerance, doubt, and success. Over all 10 online dialogues were facilitated.
2019 April
8th International Conference: Limits boarders boundaries
2019 International Conference Limits – Borders – Boundaries: Philosophical, Political and Cultural aspects The 8th International Conference of PPA, SFCP and GSP was held in Springe near Hannover in Lower Saxony in August 2019. Under what circumstances is it right to disagree – 5 day dialogue Photographs Rachel
2019
Tamsyn Imison Award
This competition was aimed at both secondary school and university level students across Europe. Dame Tamsyn Imison was a prominent British educator and “educational strategist” who chaired SFCP for a number of years.
2019
Spring: Moral Decision making
To what extent should I allow my emotions to play a role in moral decision making? Facilitated by Anu Virtanen and Rachel Kellett as the final element of their training in Spring 2019
2018
6th Colloquium Limits Boarders Boundaries Cambridge
2018 Sixth International Colloquium on Dialogical Practice and Dialogical Philosophizing (Cambridge)
The theme was Limits – Borders – Boundaries: Philosophical, political and social aspects
Notes Rachel
2017
Socratic Dialogues with the Royal College of Physicians
After the Senior Policy and Training adviser from the Joint Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Training Board, Dr Miriam Armstrong attended a Socratic Dialogue Workshop in 2017, she initiated training workshops with SFCP. Mike Cook and Julie-Marie ffrench Devitt met with the Board Members from across the UK and started a series of dialogues from 2017-2022.
2017 International Colloquium on Dialogical Practice and Dialogical Philosophizing (Berlin)
The theme of the Colloquium was “The Logic of Question and Answer” The workshops were especially challenging since they required the facilitators to plan on the spot. The Socratic Dialogues prompted active participation and lead to fruitful insights and reflections.
2016/2015
International Colloquia on Dialogical Practice and Dialogical Philosophizing (Sofia)
Bulgaria 2015 and Rovereto, Italy 2016. In Sofia, statements were given by speakers and discussed in group sessions, and short dialogues were conducted and thoroughly reflected upon. In Italy the format was a bit different – no individual statements were given, except an introductory speech by Dr. Paolo Dordoni upon the main topic – interpretation. This was followed by a number of different activities, including discussion, working with texts, Socratic Dialogues, and a group session on the main topic. Remarkably, this allowed the multitude of theoretical angles to converge, bringing about a cohesion between the participants.
2012
Grete Hermann Workshop (Aberdeen)
Grete Henry-Hermann (1901-1984) was a brilliant critical philosopher and philosopher of science, who collaborated in Nelson’s scholarly work, was active in resistance activity in Nazi Germany, and later as a refugee in Britain. She took part actively in post war German democratic politics, teacher training, and chairing Nelson’s Academy. Though less well known as a mathematician, she shared developing ideas with the pioneers of quantum physics.
2009
Living together in our modern world – reason and role of dialogue (Chichester)
6th International Colloquium Chichester
2005
The challenges of dialogues in different political systems. Berlin
5th International Colloquium Berlin: 22 papers, 12 workshops, 120 participants from 22 countries
2002
Ethics and Socratic Dialogue in Civic Society
4th International Conference, Birmingham UK
Ethics and Socratic Dialogue in Civic Society
Keynote speakers from Germany, UK Mexico and Bosnia. 20 Workshops. Socratic facilitation and methodology. 100 participants from 20 countries. Proceedings published in Ethics and Socratic Dialogue in Civil society
2000
Socratic Dialogue and Ethics
3rd International Colloquium, Germany.
Socratic Dialogue and Ethics
There were 7 SD groups with facilitators drawn from Germany, UK, Belgium, Netherlands. 100 participants from 20 countries. Conference papers published in Socratic Dialogue and Ethics
1998
The Dutch Experience
2nd International Colloquium – Leusden, Netherlands
Keynote speaker Fernando Leal ‘The relation between value conflicts and dialogue’
1986
The Future of Critical Philosophy
1st International Colloquium – Surbiton UK
Keynote speaker Fernando Leal, with topics ‘The Future of the Critical philosophy’ published in Occasional Working Papers Vol 1. There were 25 participants from 4 European Countries.
Socratic Dialogue UK 