NAU Philosophy in the Public Interest

Deliberation, done as a community activity, makes democracy work. Philosophy—which is the intellectual discipline of careful and creative thought—makes community deliberation work. Philosophy in the Public Interest helps Arizonans achieve what they desire: To "empower citizens and increase civic involvement," and to "foster citizens' well-being and sense of connection."* Philosophy in the Public Interest creates opportunities for guided community conversations about topics as timeless as friendship, and as pressing as U.S. immigration policy. These programs create opportunities to gather together, listen with care, speak thoughtfully and respectfully, and learn more about our world, about each other and about ourselves.
Philosophy, as it was practiced by Socrates, was a dialogic activity among friends and citizens. People came together to discuss life’s most interesting questions as they tried to gain a better understanding of themselves and the world they inhabited. Philosophy in the Public Interest creates opportunities for people to delve into these questions of perennial concern. Literally, philosophy is the love of wisdom (philo sophos). Those who love wisdom appreciate the opportunity to talk things over and think them through. They recognize the value of doing so over and again.


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