ResponsAbility - Dialogues on Practical Knowledge and Bildung in Professional Studies

Michael Noah Weiss & Guro Hansen Helskog
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How to turn professional experience into practical knowledge? How to reflect over one’s professional practice in order to improve it? How to further develop a practitioner’s responseAbility when facing challenging situations? Already Aristotle spoke of practical knowledge in terms of prudence or practical wisdom (phronesis), a notion which is also reflected in the term Bildung. In this podcast, the hosts prof. Michael Noah Weiss and prof. Guro Hansen Helskog are examining central aspects of this knowledge form and its relevance in professional studies by talking to different scholars who made significant contributions to the field. Listeners can get hands-on ideas on how to develop practical knowledge in their own professional contexts. Hosts: Michael Noah Weiss & Guro Hansen Helskog

  1. 3D AGO

    #25 Donna Thomas | Researching extraordinary experiences with children

    In this episode we welcome Dr. Donna Thomas, co-director of ICreates@UCLan and Perrott-Warrick Senior Researcher administered through Trinity College Cambridge. Donna investigates children’s and adults’ extrasensory experiences within human development, bringing together psychological, social-scientific, and parapsychological perspectives. As she puts it: “Having a wider understanding of what it means to be human will inform how we develop services for people.” We talk with Donna about the kinds of unusual experiences children report, how creative and participatory methods allow them to express what lies beyond language, and why taking these experiences seriously matters for wellbeing. She also shares insights from her research on children’s near-death experiences in paediatric intensive care, and invites us to rethink dominant assumptions about consciousness, reality, and what it means to be human. 00:01:01 – Origins of Donna’s Research Interest 00:05:29 – Personal Extraordinary Experiences 00:11:04 – Children’s Unusual Experiences 00:16:35 – From Research to Services 00:22:59 – Post-Materialist Worldview 00:26:24 – Extrasensory Experiences and Development 00:29:59 – Children’s Epistemic Authority 00:34:01 – Creative Research Methods 00:39:06 – Philosophical Dialogue with Children 00:42:07 – Children’s Intuitive Wisdom Literature:   Thomas, D. M. (2025): Towards a natural semiotics for centralizing ‘out of this world’ images in research with children. In: Qualitative Research. Vol. 25(I). DOI: 10.1177/14687941241234284 Thomas, D. M. & O’Riordan, Z. (2025): “My mind is not my brain”: exploring consciousness with children using creative research methods. In: Qualitative Research in Pychology. 22:2. DOI: 10.1080/14780887.2024.2354338 Thomas, D. (2023) Children's Unexplained Experiences in a Post Materialist World. Collective Ink Publications. Thomas, D. M. (2022): Rethinking Methodologies in Parapsychology Research with Children. In: Journal of Anomalistics, Vol. 22.

    45 min

  2. NOV 21

    #24 Rupert Sheldrake | Re-enchanting Science and Nature

    In this episode, we welcome Rupert Sheldrake – biologist, author of over a hundred scientific papers and fifteen books, and one of the most original and influential thinkers in contemporary science. Educated at Cambridge and Harvard, and listed among the world’s most spiritually influential people for twelve consecutive years, Sheldrake is known for pioneering and provocative research on morphic fields, telepathy, and the re-enchantment of nature. Our conversation with him explores his critique of mechanistic science, his research on human and animal telepathy, the role of spiritual practices such as meditation, gratitude, ritual, and pilgrimage, and the formative influence of his years in India. Together, we discuss how science might evolve by embracing openness, lived experience, and wisdom traditions—inviting a more holistic and interconnected understanding of life. 00:01:15 – Origins of Morphic Fields 00:04:24 – Morphic Fields and Re-Enchantment 00:06:08 – Telepathy in Animals 00:10:31 – The “Science Delusion” Explained 00:14:46 – Morphic Fields and Other Fields 00:15:23 – Why Science Lost Interest in the Unexplained 00:20:13 – Seven Spiritual Practices 00:27:45 – Influence of India on Your Thinking 00:31:03 – Integrating Spiritual Practice into Research 00:33:50 – Pilgrimage as Research Practice 00:37:15 – Coincidences, Synchronicity and Guidance 00:40:08 – Reflective and Hermeneutic Research 00:41:41 – Wish List for the Future of Science Literature:   Sheldrake, R. (2017): Science and Spiritual Practices. Reconnecting through direct experience. Coronet Books. Sheldrake, R. (2012): The Science Delusion: Freeing the spirit of enquiry. London: Coronet Books. Sheldrake, R. (1999): Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home. New York: Crown. Sheldrake, R. (1988): The Presence of the Past: morphic resonance and the habits of nature, New York: Times Books Sheldrake, R. (1981): A New Science of Life: the hypothesis of formative causation Los Angeles: J.P. Tarcher.

    47 min

  3. NOV 7

    #23 Nancy Sherman | Stoic Wisdom and the Soul of Moral Life

    Our guest in this episode is Nancy Sherman, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University and a leading expert on ancient ethics and modern moral psychology. Drawing on Aristotle and the Stoics, Nancy explores what it means to live well, to cultivate resilience without emotional suppression, and to nurture our capacity for connection in a fragmented world. She discusses how Stoic ideas have been both misunderstood and rediscovered—from Silicon Valley’s self-help culture to the search for calm and meaning among younger generations. Through themes of responsiveness, character formation, and moral self-knowledge, the conversation bridges ancient wisdom and contemporary challenges in education, leadership, and mental health. 00:01:02 – Motivation and Driving Force 00:04:37 – Aristotle and the Soul 00:09:03 – Stoicism and Aristotle 00:11:46 – Stoicism and the Self-Help Industry 00:14:23 – Stoicism and Spiritual Practice 00:18:50 – Stoicism and Bildung 00:24:47 – ResponsAbility and Wise Response 00:28:24 – Responsiveness in Education and Professional Life 00:33:47 – Stoicism, Resilience, and Mental Health 00:37:06 – Stoic Exercises in Higher Education? Literature: Sherman, N. (forthcoming): How to Have a Soul: What Aristotle Teaches Us about Lasting Happiness. Yale University Press. Sherman, N. (2021): Stoic Wisdom – Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience. Oxford University Press. Sherman, N. (2015): Afterwar: Healing the Moral Wounds of Our Soldiers. Oxford University Press. Sherman, N. (2007) Stoic Warriors - The Ancient Philosophy behind the Military Mind. Oxford University Press. Sherman, N, (1991): The Fabric of Character: Aristotle's Theory of Virtue. Clarendon Press.

    39 min

  4. OCT 24

    #22 Peter Singer | Utilitarian and Buddhist Ethics

    Our guest in this episode is Peter Singer, one of the most influential moral philosophers of our time. Known for works like Animal Liberation, Practical Ethics, and The Life You Can Save, Singer has spent his career challenging us to rethink how we live and how we can reduce suffering for humans and animals alike. In his recent book The Buddhist and the Ethicist, co-authored with Venerable Shih Chao-Hwei, he explores what happens when Western utilitarian ethics meets the compassion and mindfulness of engaged Buddhism. In this conversation, we talk about living one’s philosophy, the role of compassion in ethical life, and what Buddhist thought can teach us about the ability to respond wisely to the challenges of our time. 00:00:53 – Living One’s Philosophy 00:02:52 – The Life You Can Save 00:06:40 – What’s Good About Utilitarianism? 00:09:14 – Ethics and Animal Welfare 00:12:58 – The Buddhist and the Ethicist: A Cross-Cultural Dialogue 00:17:00 – Why Dialogue? 00:18:32 – Insights from the Dialogue 00:21:30 – Spirituality Without Belief 00:25:29 – The Meeting of Compassion and Reason 00:25:32 – What Can Western Philosophy Learn from Buddhism? 00:27:40 – ResponsAbility and Ethical Dialogue 00:29:12 – The Responsibility of Philosophers Today 00:32:22 – Future Dialogues Between Philosophy and Contemplative Traditions Literature:   Singer, P. & Chao-Hwei, S. (2023): The Buddhist and the Ethicist: Conversations on Effective Altruism, Engaged Buddhism, and How to Build a Better World. Boulder, CO: Shambala. Singer, P. (2024): Animal liberation now. Vintage Publishing Singer, P. (2020): Why Vegan. So the only question is: Do any other animal other than man suffer? Penguin Classics.Singer, P. (2016): One World Now: The Ethics of Globalization. Yale University Press.Singer, P. (2015): The Most Good You Can Do: How Effective Altruism Is Changing Ideas About Living Ethically. Yale University Press. deLazari-Radek, K. & Singer, P. (2014): The Point of View of the Universe: Sidgwick and Contemporary Ethics. Oxford University Press.Singer, P. (1981, 2nd edition 2011): The Expanding Circle: Ethics, Evolution, and Moral Progress. Princeton University Press. Singer, P. (2009): The Life You Can Save: How to Do Your Part to End World Poverty. Random House.Singer, P. & Mason, J. (2007): The Ethics of What We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter. Harmony/Rodale/Convergent.

    35 min

  5. OCT 17

    #21 Tone Kvernbekk | Evidence-based Practice?

    In this episode, we talk with Tone Kvernbekk, Professor of Education at the University of Oslo, about how teachers think, reason, and act wisely in complex educational contexts. Drawing on her work on the nature of evidence, theory, and practical judgment, she discusses why educational practice cannot simply be based on evidence, but must be informed by it. We explore her reflections on causality, context, and the limits of instrumental thinking. Finally, Tone shares how pedagogical thought experiments can help cultivate the ability to respond thoughtfully and well to what each situation demands. 00:00:44 – Academic journey and philosophical beginnings 00:02:34 – Why theory and theory development matter in education 00:04:27 – “Nothing is as practical as a good theory” 00:06:00 – The meaning of “based” in evidence-based practice 00:08:02 – What counts as evidence? 00:11:58 – John Hattie and the limits of “what works best” 00:15:31 – Instrumentality and causality in education 00:20:02 – Four models for connecting research evidence and practice 00:22:35 – Grimen, phronesis, and Biesta – on wisdom, risk, and judgment 00:25:41 – Pedagogical thought experiments and the cultivation of ResponsAbility 00:30:06 – The responsibility of educational philosophers today Literature:  Kvernbekk, T. (2005). Pedaogisk teoridannelse. Insidere, teoriformer og praksis. Fagbokforlaget Kvernbekk, T. (2011): The Concept of Evidence in Evidence-based Practice. In: Educational Theory, Vol. 61, No. 5. University of Illinois. Kvernbekk, T. (2018) «Evidensbasert Pedagogisk Praksis: Utvalgte Kontroverser.» Nordisk tidsskrift for pedagogikk og kritikk,Vol. 4, 2018, pp. 136–153. http://dx.doi.org/10.23865/ntpk.v4.1153 Kvernbekk, T. (2019) Practitioner tales: possible roles for research evidence in practice, Educational Research and Evaluation, 25:1-2, 25-42, DOI: 10.1080/13803611.2019.1617988

    34 min

  6. SEP 19

    #20 Lou Marinoff | The Practical Power of Philosophy - in Education, Professions and Life

    In this episode of the ResponsAbility Podcast, we speak with philosopher Lou Marinoff, professor at City College of New York and founding president of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association. Marinoff shares his journey from physics to philosophy, and how he became a pioneer of philosophical practice. We talk about his well-known book Plato, Not Prozac and the P4/PEACE framework, his dialogue with Buddhist thinker Daisaku Ikeda in The Inner Philosopher, and his reflections on spirituality, Taoism, and Pierre Hadot’s idea of philosophy as a way of life. Marinoff also discusses his work on the root causes of conflict and argues for philosophy’s crucial role in higher education, professional practice, and in creating the conditions for peace. 00:00:50 - Personal and professional journey 00:03:38 - What philosophical practice can contribute to higher education 00:13:01 - On the relevance of philosophy when facing life’s challenges00:15:52 - On the P4/PEACE framework and why it is not only about problem-solving 00:30:56 - On The Inner Philosopher with Japanese Buddhist thinker Daisaku Ikeda. 00:35:46 - On spirituality and philosophical practice 00:41:45 - What is Daoist philosophy about, and how might it be applied in life? 00:46:42 - What are the root causes of conflict? 00:55:14 - On understanding conflict and developing towards wisdom Literature:  Marinoff, L. (1999). Plato, not Prozac! Applying eternal wisdom to everyday problems. HarperCollins.  Marinoff, L. (2003). The big questions: How philosophy can change your life. Bloomsbury.  Marinoff, L. (2004). Therapy for the sane: How philosophy can change your life. Bloomsbury USA. (Note: This work was originally published in hardcover as The Big Questions.) Marinoff, L., & Ikeda, D. (2012). The inner philosopher: Conversations on philosophy’s transformative power. Dialogue Path Press.  Marinoff, L. (2017). The power of Dao: A timeless guide to happiness and harmony. Waterside Productions.  Marinoff, L. (2019). On human conflict: The philosophical foundations of war and peace. Rowman & Littlefield.  Marinoff, L. (2020). The middle way: Finding happiness in a world of extremes. Waterside Productions.

    59 min

  7. SEP 5

    #19 Nicola Ulibarri | Creativity in Research

    In this episode of the ResponsAbility Podcast, we speak with Nicola Ulibarri, Associate Professor at UC Irvine and first author of Creativity in Research. Drawing on her experience at Stanford’s d.school, Nicola shares how creativity can be cultivated as a deliberate practice in academia through mindfulness, emotional intuition, structured exercises, and supportive collaboration. We explore themes from her book, including the thirty-day creativity program, storytelling, energy management, and psychological safety in teams — and reflect on how these themes can become sources of creativity and inspiration for the researcher. 00:00:55 - Personal and professional background for writing Creativity in Research 00:03:38 - Mindfulness as foundational for creativity in research 00:05:06 - Emotional intuition as a guide in research decisions 00:09:11 - How can the inclusion of mindfulness and emotional intuition in research processes be justified? 00:12:38 - On the thirty-day-program 00:15:02 - Transformations observed with researchers who did the thirty-day-program 00:17:48 - On the importance of storytelling and language in shaping researchers’ identity 00:19:19 - On the role of energy management in research processes 00:24:09 - On the importance of collaboration and feedback in order for creativity to flourish in research 00:28:13 - Surprises in the reception of the book 00:31:10 - Is a researcher also a kind of artist? Literature: Ulibarri N, Cravens AE, Svetina Nabergoj A, Kernbach S, Royalty A. (2019): Creativity in Research: Cultivate Clarity, Be Innovative, and Make Progress in Your Research Journey. Cambridge University Press.

    33 min

  8. AUG 15

    #18 Lars Løvlie | Philosophy of Bildung and Pedagogy

    In this episode of the ResponsAbility Podcast, we are honored to welcome Professor Lars Løvlie—philosopher of education and long-time advocate for a reflective, humane, and relational approach to schooling and teacher education. Drawing on decades of experience and a deep engagement with thinkers like Hegel, Kant, Gadamer, and Dewey, Løvlie shares his reflections on concepts such as respect, recognition, and play—and how these shape both pedagogy and Bildung. We also explore his critique of standardized education reforms and his commitment to the essay as a philosophical form. This conversation is a thoughtful invitation to rethink what it means to teach, to learn, and to live together in a humane society. 00:01:12 - How Lars got interested in the German Bildung tradition 00:11:14 - On Hegel's concept of recognition and Kant's concept of respect 00:17:28 - On the notion of play 00:18:18 - On John Dewey's approach to education 00:20:29 - On the existential dimension of education 00:23:16 - What is the real question of education about? 00:24:31 - How to design a teacher education program that includes the promotion of Bildun and practical wisdom? 00:26:33 - On the test of practice 00:31:48 - On the importance of the academic essay in teacher education Literature: Løvlie, Lars. 1979. Dialektikk og pedagogikk: en studie med utgangspunkt i Hegel: åndens fenomenologi: arbeidsmanuskript, skrifter 22. [Dialectics and pedagogy: a study based in Hegel: the phenomenology of spirit]. Lillehammer: Oppland distriktshøgskole. Løvlie, Lars.1984. Det pedagogiske argument [The pedagogical argument]. Oslo: J.W. Cappelens forlag. Løvlie, Lars. 1990. "Omsorgsperspektiver." [Perspectives on care]. In Moderne omsorgsbilder, edited by Karen Jensen et al, 33-60. Oslo: Gyldendal. Løvlie, Lars. 1992a. "Pedagogisk filosofi." [Philosophy of pedagogy]. In Pedagogisk filosofi, edited by Erling Lars Dale. Oslo: Ad Notam Gyldendal. Løvlie, Lars. 1992b. «Postmodernisme, språk og filosofi». [Postmodernism, language and philosophy]. In Pedagogisk filosofi, edited by Erling Lars Dale. Oslo: Ad Notam Gyldendal. Løvlie, Lars. 1992c. "Moralen og forholdet til de andre." [The moral and the relationship to others]. In Erkjennelse og anerkjennelse: perspektiv på relasjoner, edited by Berit Bae and Jan Erik Waastad, 190-210. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. Løvlie, Lars. 1994. Prosjektbeskrivelse. Skolen som kulturinstitusjon (Skole-KULT). [Project description. The school as a cultural institution (Skole-KULT)]. Retrieved June 18th 2013 from https://www.forskningsradet.no/prosjektbanken_beta/#/project/102116/no Løvlie, Lars. 1999. "Hegels dannelsesbegrep: noen synspunkter." [Hegel`s conception of Bildung – some viewpoints]. In Dannelse, humanitas, paideia, edited by Øyvind Andersen, 43-62. Oslo: Sypress forlag  Løvlie, Lars. 2000. "Mot et utvidet danningsbegrep." [Towards an extended conception of Bildung]. In KULT - i kulturforskningens tegn: en antologi, edited by Håkon W.  Andersen et al, 211-228. Oslo: Pax. Løvlie, L. (2009). Dannelse og profesjon. [Bildung and profession].  I:Kunnskap og dannelse foran et nytt århundre.Innstilling fra Dannelsesutvalget for høyere utdanning. Løvlie, L (2013). Verktøyskolen. [The tool school]. I Norsk Pedagogisk Tidsskrift 3/2013Øksnes, M., Sundsdal, E., & Løvlie, L. (2015). Leder. Nordisk tidsskrift for pedagogikk og kritikk, 1. https://doi.org/10.17585/ntpk.v1.92Løvlie, L. (2015). Herbart om oppdragelse, formbarhet og takt. Nordisk tidsskrift for pedagogikk og kritikk, 1. https://doi.org/10.17585/ntpk.v1.91 Løvlie, L. (2015). John Dewey, phenomenology, and the reconstruction of democracy. Nordisk tidsskrift for pedagogikk og kritikk, 1. https://doi.org/10.17585/ntpk.v1.104 Løvlie, L. (2017). The Test of Practice–An Essay. Education Sciences, 7(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci7010031 Løvlie, L. (2022) Hvis teknokratene ikke fantes. I: Schaanning, E., & Aagre, W. (2022). Skolens mening : femti år etter Nils Christies Hvis skolen ikke fantes. Universitetsforlaget. Løvlie, L. (2022). Akademisk dygd og politikkens fravær. Nordisk tidsskrift for pedagogikk og kritikk, 8. https://doi.org/10.23865/ntpk.v8.3755 Løvlie, L., & Løvlie, L. (2021). Politisering og pedagogisk motstand : veien til en barneorientert praksis (1. utgave.). Fagbokforlaget.

    34 min
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How to turn professional experience into practical knowledge? How to reflect over one’s professional practice in order to improve it? How to further develop a practitioner’s responseAbility when facing challenging situations? Already Aristotle spoke of practical knowledge in terms of prudence or practical wisdom (phronesis), a notion which is also reflected in the term Bildung. In this podcast, the hosts prof. Michael Noah Weiss and prof. Guro Hansen Helskog are examining central aspects of this knowledge form and its relevance in professional studies by talking to different scholars who made significant contributions to the field. Listeners can get hands-on ideas on how to develop practical knowledge in their own professional contexts. Hosts: Michael Noah Weiss & Guro Hansen Helskog

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