Rogue Philosophers Video Chats

In 2020-2021, during quarantine, Jennifer Scuro, Ph.D. in New York and Monica Vilhauer, Ph.D. in Oregon set out to bridge the distance and ease the isolation with some friendly conversations about the ways in which they both develop philosophy beyond the ivory tower to help with practical problems and big life crises.

Shaping philosophy into a way of life that is so much more than a scholarly discipline continues to be a meaningful and liberating experience for both.

Their Rogue Philosophers video series is a record of their long-standing philosophical friendship and an expression of the joy of breaking a few rules of the discipline they enjoy re-creating.

It’s also a warm welcome to those out there who are interested in the practical value of philosophy for life.

Episode One: Practical Philosophy

Monica and Jen discuss philosophy’s practical value. Jen interviews Monica about some ways in which she does practical philosophy at Curious Soul Philosophy, including philosophical workshops for adults, individual philosophical counseling, and philosophical conversations about ethical crises in sports, such as the epidemic of abuse in the sport of gymnastics.

Episode Two: Philosophical Counseling

Monica and Jen dive deeper into what philosophical counseling is, how it helps with life crises, and how it is different from psychotherapy.

Episode Three: Playfulness & Philosophical Friendship

Jen interviews Monica about the theoretical roots of her way of practicing philosophical counseling. They talk about ancient Greek philosophies of friendship as well as Hans-Georg Gadamer’s philosophy of dialogue, interpretation, and play.