Blending Philosophy and Social Skills – Any Unique Approaches?

Improvement Social Skills
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Lately, I’ve been curious about how to weave philosophy into social skills development in a way that feels organic. Philosophy digs into human nature, ethics, and communication, so it seems like a natural fit but I’m wondering if others have tried this.

Has anyone used philosophical discussions or thought experiments as a way to practice active listening or empathy? Maybe something like debating ethical dilemmas in small groups to build rapport or exploring Stoic principles to handle social anxiety. I’d love to hear if you’ve experimented with this or have ideas for making it engaging. What’s worked (or not worked) for you?

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I tried discussing the trolley problem with friends once. It felt awkward but helped me listen more carefully. Maybe starting with lighter topics would work better. Stoicism helped me with social anxiety a bit. Focusing on what I can control made interactions less overwhelming. Philosophy book clubs are nice for quiet people. Small groups feel safer for sharing thoughts.

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