A report on a philosophical dialogue workshop for cancer survivors : On the experiments in ‘Tomoiki-Kyoto’

ガン　サバイバー　ノ　イキル　チカラ　ヲ　ササエル　テツガク　タイワ　プログラム　ニ　ツイテ　ノ　ヨビテキ　コウサツ　トモイキ　キョウト　デノ　ココロミ　ヨリ

タカハシ, アヤ

Takahashi, Aya

哲学対話

ケアリング

cancer survivor

philosophical dialogue

caring

This paper reports on a philosophical dialogue workshop at ‘Tomoiki-Kyoto’ which is a community space for cancer survivors in Kyoto. This paper attempts to achieve three tasks. Firstly, the paper describes the characteristics of this specific workshop by comparing it with other similar activities such as self-help groups or support groups for cancer survivors. Secondly, the paper outlines the difficulties some people experience in having dialogues with cancer survivors. Finally the paper offers the viewpoint that the philosophical dialogues had at ‘Tomoiki-Kyoto’, are not like the conversations had in a self-help groups meant only for cancer patients, nor is it like the special counseling offered by the medial professions; the dialogues had at ‘Tomoiki-Kyoto’, are of a different kind since ‘Tomoiki-Kyoto’ is also a place for taking part in daily spiritual practice with others, practices through which cancer survivors can face the joys, sorrows and the richness of the life with cancer.