Fotografie: Christein van Hoffen in opdracht van De Denksmederij
Fotografie: Christein van Hoffen in opdracht van De Denksmederij
Offerings
We think together about your personal question. Confronting and surprising: through counter-questions, I pull you free from your own habitual thinking.
Individual →In a small group, we work with practical-philosophical techniques: listening closely, asking sharp questions, thinking clearly. I offer general skills workshops, Socratic dialogues, and Socratic teaching methods — always tailored to fit.
Groups & teams →A talk or keynote for a larger audience. How do you ask a good question? How does knowledge relate to power? What's wrong with conspiracy theories? Interactive, refreshing, and delivered with humour.
Philosophy cafés, conferences & organisations →About philosophy
Philosophy has a reputation for being dull — and that's not entirely unfair. Philosophers can argue endlessly over the finer points of intricate theories. But in order to do that, they developed something useful: the art of thinking, listening, and speaking clearly.
Most people get stuck at some point. A problem you just can't seem to solve. A team that isn't quite working. Conversations that keep circling back to the same place. It's at moments like these that sharp, analytical thinking helps.
As a philosopher, I help you with that. I work with individuals, teams and groups to understand what's really going on: listening well, asking sharp questions, and finding a way forward together.
Thinking doesn't have to be scary or hard. It is hard work, that's true; but done well, it's liberating.
About me
In my practice I combine a thorough philosophical education with wide-ranging experience across many different fields. Profound insights, but with your boots in the mud!
I hold a bachelor's and a master's degree, and almost a doctorate in philosophy. I've also completed a range of programmes in practical (applied) philosophy, including training as a Socratic dialogue facilitator with Marlou van Paridon and as a philosophical consultant with Oscar Brénifier's Institut de Pratiques Philosophiques.
Beyond that, I've worked for years as a practical philosopher, often in collaboration with Denksmederij, founded by Elke Wiss — author of the book Socrates op Sneakers (Socrates in Sneakers). There I run workshops and talks on the art of asking questions and Socratic dialogue techniques. Over the years I've worked with dozens of clients from every walk of life: from primary school teachers to the management of large corporations and government organisations. Philosophy is for everyone!
I combine all of this with insights drawn from the rest of my life: I have extensive experience in governance and leadership, have worked as a teacher using Socratic-didactic methods, and — thanks to my background as an actor and magician — bring it all across in a way that's fresh and easy to follow.
Contact
Curious? Send me a message. Whether it's about a workshop, a talk, or a personal conversation — I'd love to hear from you.
thijs@thijsringelberg.nl