哲學諮商自一九八○年發展以來，一直秉持著一些基本的原則，其中最重要的三項為：一、沒有「病人」的觀念。二、主張價值引領。三、使用對談的方式，以及重視互為主體的關係。本文擬以此三項原則為主軸進行闡述。哲學諮商主張「沒有病人」，這項基本原則的重要性在於強調，人的受苦或困擾來自觀念的混淆，藉由觀念的釐清，有助於解除人的受苦或困擾。再者，觀念的混淆，往往是因為價值觀的模糊，因此，哲學諮商幫助當事人藉由釐清觀念，進而發展出價值觀的引領。哲學諮商要發展價值引領，首先要確立所要引領的價值哲學為何，進而引導當事人瞭解其處境，由此進行某種價值哲學的思考。本文所採用的價值哲學來自亞里斯多德與孔子，藉由亞里斯多德的目的論與幸福論的觀點，可以幫助當事人知道其所做所為和幸福的距離，使當事人理解，如果他的目的是追求幸福，他自己應該有那些作為，可以幫助他自己進入幸福。透過孔子的思想進行價值引領時，我們可以幫助當事人理解什麼是仁者？如何成為一個仁者？成為仁者是
否符合其自身的個人生涯發展或人生目標？幫助當事人在他所處的各種關係中，思考如何發展大同精神的意義與價值，並且由此構成當事人現實人生幸福或快樂的重要內含。至於施行的原則，觀察亞里斯多德及孔子所敘述的觀點，可以發現有幾個特色：正向積極、立身處世、展望未來。這也就是孔子所謂的「修身、齊家、治國、平天下。」（禮記．大學）的想法。在價值引領的過程中，透過價值的定位，知道自己的處境，以正向的觀點檢視自己可以改變或發展的方向，並以積極的態度規劃自己未來可行的方法或方向。互為主體的日常討論，是要使雙方都能在一個平台上共同討論，哲學諮商師要盡量不要影響對方的判斷使其失去自我。互為主體的模式乃基於雙方主體的平等性，討論的主題可以是當事人的困擾，也可以是當事人引起話題後所產生新的話題。
哲學諮商從希臘時代或中國的春秋時代就已有了，在歷經二千多年來的變遷，內容必然愈來愈豐富，對象也愈來愈多元，本文所提出的三項基本原則是面對變遷中的一種實踐助人方式。

Ever since it was developed in 1980, philosophical counseling has always been practiced in the spirit of some fundamental principles, of which the most important three principles are: first, there is not the concept of “patient”; second, it advocates “leading by value”; and third, it’s practiced in the form of dialogue and stresses the inter-subjective relationship. This article is meant to revolve around these three principles.In philosophical counseling, it’s advocated there are no so-called “patients.” The importance of this fundamental principle lies in the emphasis that one’s sufferings or problems are caused by confusion in ideas and the clarification of ideas could help with relieving one’s sufferings and problems. Also, confusion in ideas is usually the result of confusion about values; therefore, philosophical counseling helps the client by clarifying ideas and then develops “leading by value.” To develop “leading by value,” philosophical counseling has to first and foremost determine what value philosophy it is to lead before it leads the client to understand the situation he is in, whereby to have some sort of thinking about value philosophy. The value philosophy we employ in this paper could be traced to Aristotle and Confucius. Aristotle’s teleology and happiness ethics could help the client see how far his doings are from happiness, make the him understand what he should do to attain happiness if that’s what he aspires for. When we ractice “leading by value” through Confucius’s thought, we can help the client understand what a benevolent man is, how to become a benevolent man, and if being a benevolent man fits his career development or goal of life. We can help the client contemplate how to develop the meaning and value of cosmopolitism and constitute accordingly the important content of his happiness. As for the practical principles, seeing those ideas stated by Aristotle or Confucius, we can see some attributes: positive and active, living properly in the society, and forward-looking. These are exactly Confucius’s ideas of “cultivation of one's character, regulation of one's family, right governing of one's state and bringing tranquility and happiness throughout the kingdom” (“Tashue”, Liji) In the process of leading by value, the client knows the situation he is in through the positioning of value, examines the direction he can move to or develop in from a positive perspective and lays out a viable method or direction for his future with an active attitude. The everyday discussion about inter-subjectivity is meant to make both parties discuss with each other on one platform. The philosophical counselor should refrain from affecting the client’s judgment at the expense of latter’s self. The inter-subjective mode is based on the equality between both subjects. They could discuss the client’s problems or any new topics brought forth by those topics raised by the client.Philosophical counseling came to existence as early as ancient Greece or China of the Spring-Autumn period. After more than two thousand years of transition, the content of philosophical counseling is supposed to be richer and appeal to more pluralistic subjects. The three fundamental principles mentioned above are a way to practically help people in the face of changes.