The Best Philosophy Workshop with Zero Prep

Sometimes you’ve got no time, no slides, no materials—just a room and a moment to fill.
And honestly? That can lead to some of the best philosophy workshops you’ll ever run.

Here’s my go-to method when I walk into a session with zero preparation:

Grab a pen and a board, and write one big question in the middle.
That’s it.

Here are some great ones to spark discussion:

• What does education mean?

• How would the best school look like?

• What’s not educational?

• What is a good life?

• What does identity mean?

• What is philosophy?

• What subjects can you learn about?

• What does it mean to be human?

• What is nothing?

• What is everything?

From there, just start collecting thoughts.
Write down student responses. Ask follow-ups.
And when you have something meaningful or personal to add—drop it in. Show how you experience that part of reality.

The result?
A session that’s real, raw, and full of shared meaning.

Why It Works

• Students are engaged—it’s their thoughts driving the discussion.

• Everyone’s experiences are seen—which creates connection.

• Phones disappear—people are in it.

• Conversations continue afterward—students realize others feel the same.

• It becomes a breeding ground for friendship—people bond over shared ideas.

As the facilitator, be open. Show vulnerability if needed—it breaks the ice and gives others permission to be real, too.

Bonus Tip

If you’re fast with digital tools, live mindmapping with Figma is also amazing. You can map thoughts as they come, visualize links, and give everyone a shared mental space.
(Just keep in mind—you’ll be facing the screen more than the people.)

No prep doesn’t mean no value.
It just means being present, curious, and ready to go where the conversation takes you.
And sometimes, that’s exactly where the magic is.

Some Examples I've created with my students: