Philosophical Counseling: Understanding, Empathy, and Logic
Philosophical counseling, as Logic-Based Therapy (LBT), focuses on addressing emotional, relational, and general life challenges. The philosopher works to identify emotions (how one feels and why they feel that way). Sometimes it is difficult to escape a situation we have created for ourselves, and often these situations are simply caused by the reasoning we employ. But what are the thoughts that lead us to feel this way?
The philosopher’s role is to identify false beliefs and assumptions that are unreasonable and counterproductive, as these contribute to our distress. The philosopher works to refute, change, and challenge these beliefs using a variety of exercises and activities. This process helps develop new and better ways of thinking—new reasoning patterns—that, with practice, become integrated into everyday life.
Better reasoning = A better life!
- What do we truly know? What is knowledge?
- Does God exist?
- Do we really have free will?
- Is our mind nothing more than our physical brain, or is there an immaterial aspect to us? Do we continue to exist after death?
- What is morality? Which actions are wrong, and why? What should we do, and why? What makes someone a good person?
- What defines a just and equitable society?
- Does life have meaning? What is a meaningful life? How can one achieve a happy life?
Philosophers strive to answer these questions through arguments, aiming to arrive at conclusive answers supported by premises or reasoning. To achieve these goals, philosophers rely on logic.
Logic-Based Therapy
In Logic-Based Therapy (LBT), the philosopher applies the same logic and methods used to address philosophical questions to personal and relational difficulties, as well as to the challenges life presents in general.
Philosophy helps us identify and evaluate the arguments that shape our emotional and relational lives. The conclusions we draw determine how we feel and influence our emotional states, while the premises are the beliefs that contribute to creating these states. The philosopher assists in identifying the reasoning patterns that lead to a negative state of being and works critically to refine these patterns of thought.
People often experience unpleasant feelings because they believe in false statements, accept something as true without sufficient evidence, embrace unreasonable assumptions, or impose on themselves standards so high they would never expect others to meet them. In doing so, they become inconsistent and unfair with themselves.
The philosopher can help uncover these erroneous and counterproductive beliefs, guiding individuals toward a more productive understanding of themselves and their relationship with the world.
Philosophical Counseling: A Guide for Reflection and Personal Growth
Philosophical counseling can be particularly helpful when the issue has a critical and explicitly philosophical dimension, such as:
- An ethical or moral dilemma, whether at home or in the workplace;
- A religious (or irreligious) concern involving faith or doubt;
- A troubling contradiction or inconsistency;
- Questions about personal life, its meaning, value, and purpose;
- Clarifying one’s viewpoints and understanding of complex concepts and values;
- The pursuit of personal authenticity and autonomy: becoming one’s true self in light of one’s choices and values.
Any emotional or relational issue can benefit from systematic and supported inquiry. The application of philosophical techniques can help foster positive change, offering meaningful insights and tools to navigate challenges effectively.
