In this special episode of Philosophy Club, Evan, a practicing Therapist (and roommate of Kitty), helps Aaqib, Ben, Kitty, Logan, Mackenzie and Mike to answer what makes a good therapist? As it turns out, there may not be a single good answer to the question. But that doesn't discourage them!

The group also discusses: why do people come to therapy? Should everyone go to therapy? What makes a therapist better suited to a given client? Do a therapist and client need to share values? What should Tony Soprano's therapist do? Is therapy performative? Can you substitute friends for a therapist? And how many therapists form relationships with clients?

Notes--

Evan's Book recommendations:

On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers

The Gift of Therapy by Irvin Yalom

Ben, Katie, Logan and Mike discuss why we call one way of speaking proper and another colloquial. Along the way, we learn about Ben's hardships at an Orioles' game, David Foster Wallace and Descriptive vs. Prescriptive dictionaries, what Wittgenstein imagines construction workers are like, John McWhorter's Theory of Creole. We also ask about the benefits and tradeoffs of having many different ways of speaking.

Beau, Ben and Logan first discuss how to find a what to read, and Ben introduces the question: What makes a classic? It seems endurance, quality and popularity have something to do with it. And surely having someone to talk to about a book makes it all the more fun. But is the best of all time the same as the most popular? What is the role of genre in ranking them? Can you be someone who likes a lot of Sci-Fi but does not like Sci-Fi? And what are best-of lists even for? Be aware! Spoiler alert for Anna Karenina ahead!