Through dialogue, questions deepen, and inquiry continues.
Overview
Philosophy for Children (p4c) is an innovative method originally developed to cultivate reasoning and discussion skills in younger learners. Over time, it has been widely adopted as a tool for creating spaces where participants think together through dialogue, making it highly applicable in adult learning environments.
In p4c, participants express their initial sense of wonder as questions, which become the foundation for discussion. Before engaging in dialogue, participants will explore what kind of conversation they aim to have and how to establish a safe and open environment for meaningful dialogue.
Through this process, participants’ initial questions may evolve, and new questions may emerge. This dialogue becomes the gateway to further inquiry. Rather than seeking definitive answers, we encourage embracing the joy of continuous questioning to expand our thinking.
| 📂 Category | Motivation |
| 📌 Keywords | Philosophical dialogue, dialogue safety, inquiry |
| 🎯 Objectives | – Experience the value of questioning rather than seeking definitive answers. – Respect diverse perspectives and learn how to challenge assumptions while deepening inquiry. |
| 🌐 Language | 1Q2Q: Japanese, 3Q4Q: English (Planned) |
| 👥 Target Participants | Graduate & Undergraduate Students |
| 🗓 Format | Single session（3-hour in-person） |
| ✅ Past & Upcoming Sessions | Friday, July 4, 2025, 17:30-20:00 Held three times since 2022 |
| 📍 Venue | S6-309A, Ookayama |
| 🌟 Recommended for | – Those who value deep thinking time. – Those who find it difficult to articulate thoughts or contribute to discussions. – Those who want to experience a different thinking process. – Those who wish to create a safe space for dialogue where others feel comfortable expressing their thoughts. |
| 📊 Points | 3 points (Points to be awarded to students enrolled in the courses for credits. Please refer to the syllabus for details.) |
| 🎟️ Capacity | 15 participants |
Main Content
- Introduction to facilitator & p4c
- Selecting a theme
- Crafting questions
- Choosing the guiding question for dialogue
- Engaging in dialogue
- Reflection
Facilitator
Mitsuyo Toyoda, Ph.D.
Professor, Community Design Office, Sado Island Center for Ecological Sustainability, Niigata University
She researched environmental ethics and philosophical dialogue at a graduate school in the U.S. Upon returning to Japan, she integrated environmental ethics with philosophical dialogue in her doctoral studies at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. She currently conducts research on citizen participation in environmental conservation and consensus-building on Sado Island.
Past Event Records
Voices from Participants
- Students interested in entrepreneurship and initiating personal projects will find great value in the Effectuation workshop. This workshop focuses on leveraging one’s strengths and tapping into their network to solve problems. It is an opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn how to approach challenges resourcefully by engaging with other people who can offer guidance and support. (D2)
- Thanks for this workshop, to make me learn about another way to think and conceive our current research or the future innovation work. It also let me know about the importance of using the ability of my acquaintance and friends. Besides, in this workshop you can also make friends, which is an effective way to get out of your comfort zone to talk to more people who have a different background with you. (D1)
- If you are confused about how you can make innovations, I totally recommend this workshop. You will know the secret from entrepreneurs to stop imagining who you are and know actually who you are. (M1)
Event Report
Contact Faculty
Keisuke Yamada, Specially Appointed Professor, Academy for Leadership
📩 yamada.k.9f82 [at] m.isct.ac.jp
Mayu Watanabe, Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Academy for Leadership
📩 watanabe.m.6bd9 [at] m.isct.ac.jp
Yuri Matsuzaki, Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Academy for Leadership
📩 matsuzaki.y.77a9 [at] m.isct.ac.jp
