Book Review: Blind Men and Elephants

Abstract

Introduction:  This is an intelligent book which makes a major contribution to the growing literature on philosophical counselling (I use the UK spelling). Traditionally, philosophical counsellors have been anxious to differentiate themselves from psychological counsellors, especially those who are psychodynamically oriented. Often, they have also been anxious to differentiate their own model of philosophical counselling from that of other practitioners. This book attempts a number of things: to survey current conceptions of philosophical counselling and its methods; to find its minimal criteria, if any; and to distinguish it, if possible, from psychotherapy. It goes on to find positive criteria (i.e. in terms of what it is, not what it is not) that will be both viable and flexible for a new model of philosophical counselling.