{"id":19721,"date":"2025-08-19T15:40:51","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T06:40:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.total.titech.ac.jp\/?p=19721"},"modified":"2025-10-02T19:53:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T10:53:36","slug":"report_20250819_2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.total.titech.ac.jp\/en\/report_20250819_2\/","title":{"rendered":"[Workshop Report] Philosophical Dialogue: p4c"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As part of the ToTAL course “Fundamental Group Work for Leadership”, Philosophical Dialogue: p4c was held on July 4, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Workshop<\/span><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Facilitator<\/td>Prof. Mitsuyo Toyota (Community Design, Sado Center for Island-based Coexistence, Niigata University)<\/td><\/tr>
Date and Time<\/td>Friday, July 4, 2025, 17:30\u201320:00<\/td><\/tr>
Venue<\/td>Room S6-309A, 3rd Floor, South Building 6, Ookayama Campus<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

[Learning through Dialogue: Thinking]<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Activity 1: Icebreaker with Yarn<\/h4><\/div>
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The session began with a warm-up activity where we used a ball of yarn for introductions. Sitting in a circle, we passed the yarn around while introducing ourselves with two themes:
Round 1: Major, least favorite food
Round 2: What we expect from this workshop
As the yarn moved from one person to another, it gradually formed a \u201ccommunity ball\u201d in the center of the circle, visually showing how we were all connected. This gentle and creative activity helped everyone relax and created a warm, welcoming atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 2: Introduction to p4c and Dialogue Rules<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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The facilitator introduced the concept of p4c (Philosophy for Children), a method originally developed for young students to grow their thinking and reasoning skills through dialogue. In this workshop, we experienced how the same method can also be meaningful for adults.
Some key principles we learned were:
\u30fbThe next speaker is chosen by the previous speaker
\u30fbThere are no \u201ccorrect\u201d answers
\u30fbEvery opinion has value
\u30fbSafety and respect in the space are essential
Unlike traditional classroom discussions, where the order of speakers is oftern determined by \u201cturn-taking\u201d or \u201cevaluation\u201d, in this workshop, we followed a different style: \u201cthose who wanted to speak raised their hands, and the person who had just spoken chose the next speaker,\u201d and \u201cevery comment was received with respect.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 3: Generating Questions and Practicing Dialogue<\/h4><\/div>
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Next, we explored three broad themes (Diversity, Technology, Humanity).
By vote, we selected \u201cHumanity\u201d as our central theme. Each participant came up with a question related to this theme, and shared. Eventually, we chose this question for the group discussion: \u201cWhat is the most important thing in life?\u201d
We then spent about 60 minutes in a free, open-ended dialogue using the p4c method. Rather than trying to find a final answer, we explored different viewpoints, reflected on what others said, and sometimes even shifted our own ideas during the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 4: Reflection and Sharing<\/h4><\/div>
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After the dialogue, we reflected on what we had experienced. The facilitator helped us recognize how this type of dialogue is different from debates or discussions:
\u30fbThe goal is not to win or persuade
\u30fbWe build ideas together rather than fight over them
\u30fbWe respond to others\u2019 voices thoughtfully
\u30fbOur words become part of the shared space<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end, everyone shared:
\u30fbTheir thoughts about the dialogue
\u30fbAny questions they had<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reflections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This workshop gave me a rare and valuable opportunity to practice thinking without crafting an answer. Using the p4c method, we focused on exploring questions instead of solving them. The format encouraged us to take time, respect different viewpoints, and truly listen to others. I realized that the act of continuing to question\u2014rather than reaching a final answer\u2014can lead to deeper insight. In today\u2019s fast-paced world, where efficiency and results are often prioritized, it was refreshing and meaningful to simply stay with the question. I believe this mindset will help me in both my academic research and daily communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Note<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I participated as both an observer and a participant. I was impressed by how seriously everyone engaged with the chosen question. If you are someone who:
\u30fbWants to take time to think deeply
\u30fbFeels nervous about speaking in discussions
\u30fbIs curious about new ways of thinking
\u30fbWants to create safe, thoughtful spaces for dialogue
I highly recommend this workshop. It offers a kind of learning experience that is very different from usual classes. Even beginners can feel welcome and grow through the session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yuta Murao, D1, School of Life Science and Technology, ToTAL 6th Cohort<\/p>\n