PURPOSE: The UNESCO celebrates World Philosophy Day each year, on the third Thursday of November in order to bring philosophy, that universal language of thought, into service in order to identify all the ramifications of the crisis and to clear a common path for humanity and to underline the enduring value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and for each individual. Various methods in philosophy give particular importance to intuitions, i.e. non-inferential impressions about the correctness of specific claims or general principles. For example, they play an important role in thought experiments, which employ counterfactual thinking to evaluate the possible consequences of an imagined situation. These anticipated consequences can then be used to confirm or refute philosophical theories. The method of reflective equilibrium also employs intuitions. It seeks to form a coherent position on a certain issue by examining all the relevant beliefs and intuitions, some of which often have to be deemphasized or reformulated in order to arrive at a coherent perspective. The Pragmatists stress the significance of concrete practical consequences for assessing whether a philosophical theory is true or false. Experimental philosophy is of rather recent origin. Its methods differ from most other methods of philosophy in that it tries to answer philosophical questions by gathering empirical data in ways similar to social psychology and the cognitive sciences.

FORUM: “Philosophy: bridging social gaps.” World Philosophy Day 2024. Philosophy brings us together, offering essential tools to address some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. In the context of the Management of Social Transformations (MOST)programme, UNESCO’s work on philosophy aims to promote humanist thinking as a response to social transformations and encourages its use for impact on political dialogue. Philosophy allows to think collectively about the future of humanity - and to design a better world. Thursday’s World Philosophy Day is an opportunity to focus on the importance of reflection and critical thinking in building fairer, more equal, and inclusive societies—especially in times of crisis. On this Day of collective exercise in free, reasoned and informed thinking on the major challenges of our time, all of UNESCO’s partners are encouraged to organize various types of activities - philosophical dialogues, debates, conferences, workshops, cultural events and presentations around the general theme of the Day, with the participation of philosophers and scientists from all branches of natural and social sciences, educators, teachers, students, press journalists and other mass media representatives, and the general public. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #WorldPhilosophyDay, #philosophy, #21November, #Philosophicaldebates, #PhilosophyDay.

EVENTS: On November 20th, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm GMT at UNESCO Paris Conference Room I. The UNESCO will organize a panel discussion entitled " Philosophy: bridging social gaps" to mark the World Philosophy Day 2024 with the French National Commission for UNESCO. The round-tables will highlight philosophy's vital role in mending the social fabric and fostering a more cohesive society. The Opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Mrs. Simona-Mirela Miculescu, followed by the Opening Speech by Mrs. Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO will open the session. A Keynote lecture entitled "Why we need a concept of social energy?" will be made by Mrs. Hartmut Rosa. A High-level plenary session entitled " Philosophy supporting Youth inclusion" with Mrs. Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, Mrs. Charlotte Casiraghi, Founder of Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco, Mrs. Hartmut Rosa, philosopher and sociologist, Edwige Chirouter, philosopher and Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair Philosophy with children will be organized. A Youth introduction by the secondary students of the Maison de la Philosophie (Romainville) and the high schoolers from Quebec's Philo-Jeunes network; A Video message from Mrs Daniel Innerarity, titled " Philosophy helping to navigate the social divides created by AI" will be presented. Panel discussion entitled " Philosophy and Poverty: repairing social cohesion" with: Mr. Mario Pezzini, Senior consultant and special advisor for the MOST Programme (moderator), Mr. François Jomini from ATD Fourth World, Mrs. Amina Zakhnouf, co-founder of “Je m'engage pour l'Afrique” and investment Officer at the Fonds d'innovation pour le développement (Esther Duflo's fund) and Mrs. Júlia Casamasso Mattoso, brazilian philosopher, collaborator of ATD Quart Monde, councillor for the city of Petrópolis, Brazil. The panel is organized in partnership with the ATD Fourth World Association and will show how philosophy can contribute to the fight against poverty. The entire event will be interpreted in both French and English. Register to participate!