Beyond method, Anders Lindseth style: The quest to open up philosophical space in the consulting room

Abstract

Abstract The “beyond method” approach is pivotal to the Norwegian philosopher Anders Lindseth, who pioneered philosophical counseling in Norway, and has been a mentor to other counselors. Being himself influenced by Gerd Achenbach, Lindseth has a distaste for method and therapy, advocating instead the principle of “touched not-knowing.” During a seminar in Oslo last year Lindseth discussed these concepts with students of philosophical counseling, and had a demonstration session to be assessed. Based on the seminary, this article presents the Lindseth position, and looks critically into the notion of “beyond method.” Instead of eschewing method altogether, the author claims that philosophical counselors might employ method in a limited sense without succumbing to “therapy” in the professional, pejatorive sense of the word.