Philosophical training and research tend to be seen as something to be done in solitude. This view, somehow attractive amongst philosophy apprentices, runs the risk of turning philosophy into a conversation with oneself, where clarity of communication and rigorous conceptual articulation might end up sacrificed. To prevent students from developing this dangerous habit, I emphasize how critical conversations and exchanges (in a variety of formats) are for philosophical inquiry.
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I highlight the importance of working on their communication skills, on making their doubts, questions and proposals accessible to others, in order to expose their ideas to scrutiny of colleagues and to advance their own understanding. I tell students that the first drafts of an idea are usually transcripts of an internal monologue that makes little sense outside the author’s mind. That transcript needs to be translated into an articulated idea that can stand by itself, and this translation requires a lot of work.
When working with students on their communication skills, I encourage them to explore different ways of expression. In addition to training students on the classical format of an academic paper, I often ask students to elaborate a summary or write a critical review of a text in a format other than linear writing: mind maps, comics, diagrams, etc. I share samples of handouts I myself have prepared in these formats, and it is very gratifying to see that this paves the way for an interesting display of creativity. Some students see in these assignments the opportunity to connect what perhaps seemed to them disconnected things: creativity and rigor.
When working with students on their communication skills, I encourage them to explore different ways of expression. In addition to training students on the classical format of an academic paper, I often ask students to elaborate a summary or write a critical review of a text in a format other than linear writing: mind maps, comics, diagrams, etc. I share samples of handouts I myself have prepared in these formats, and it is very gratifying to see that this paves the way for an interesting display of creativity. Some students see in these assignments the opportunity to connect what perhaps seemed to them disconnected things: creativity and rigor.