I. INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON PHILOSOPHICAL COUNSELING

October 3–5, 2025 | Ankara Social Sciences University | Ankara, Türkiye

Congress Overview

The fundamental parameters of the modern world have not only brought convenience to human life but also provoked profound crises and existential dilemmas. Since the Industrial Revolution, social, political, and economic transformations—coupled with issues such as urbanization and rapid population growth—have deeply disrupted traditional ways of living.

In today’s society, individuals often experience increased isolation within mass culture and intensified individualization through political participation. The emergence of modern psychology as an independent discipline was largely motivated by the need to address these issues.

Philosophy has historically dealt with the very questions that psychology now seeks to resolve. Yet, for a long time, due to its engagement with more abstract and broad issues, philosophy has remained distant from the practical concerns of daily life. However, toward the late 20th century, a new discipline emerged in Germany and the United States—Philosophical Counseling—defined as a domain of practical wisdom that integrates philosophy into everyday life.

Philosophical counseling not only informs and enhances the methods of psychology and psychotherapy, but also offers a unique and holistic framework for addressing a wide array of human challenges: anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, death anxiety, and beyond—to deeper inquiries concerning the meaning of life, ethical values, and societal participation.

In Türkiye, there is increasing academic and civic interest in applied philosophy and philosophical counseling. Institutional developments are underway both in civil society and within universities. In this context, the Philosophical Counseling Association (Felsefi Danışmanlık Derneği), established in 2024, and Ankara Social Sciences University are pleased to host the I. International Congress on Philosophical Counseling, an academic platform to present theoretical and practical contributions to the field.

We warmly invite researchers, practitioners, educators, and all interested individuals and institutions to contribute to this significant academic event.