“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.” -Albert Einstein

While you might have thought the previously mentioned statement from Einstein is nothing more than a good quote, little did you realise that it's a philosophical phrase that can be carefully analysed.

Truthfully, philosophy is all around us, whether we like it or not, and it's not only an academic discipline that is reserved for the world's most distinguished intellectuals. More and more, educators and exam boards are recommending that philosophy be taught in the formative years before students jet off to the workforce or university. But, why?

Without further delay, the purpose of this article is to answer why philosophy should be taught to primary and secondary school students and how it can be done so effectively by well-meaning teachers.

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What is Philosophy?

what is philosophy?
Have you ever wondered what the study of philosophy is all about? (Source: Unsplash)

While you might have heard the term uttered before, have you ever wondered what philosophy is all about? Well, if so, you've come to the right place since we're about to define the word philosophy. In the simplest of definitions, philosophy is known as the processing of general and fundamental questions. The most common type of questions debated in philosophy include ones such as those about existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind, and language.

It's interesting to note that philosophy means, "love of wisdom." Therefore, it's the study that attempts to better comprehend the greater aspects of humanity and existence.

The study of philosophy has existed for centuries and the following are a few of the most popular philosophers of all time:

  • Plato, 
  • Confucius, 
  • Immanuel Kant, 
  • John Locke, 
  • Karl Marx, 
  • Socrates. 

The philosophical discoveries and renderings of the previously mentioned individuals are studied by philosophy students around the world.

But, why exactly is there a push for students to become familiar with philosophy? Let's find out in the following paragraphs.

Why Should Students Be Learning Philosophy?

As a parent, when you think about the fundamental topics that you want your son or daughter to learn you're probably keen for your children to practice reading, maths, science and English. On the other side of things, subjects like arts or sports are more likely to be neglected because they're viewed as extracurriculars, despite reports that show how important these are for all-around educational achievement.

So, when you’re thinking about what your kids should be learning, philosophy is probably the last thing on your mind. Philosophy probably isn’t a priority, if it’s considered at all. However, it’s becoming clear to many professionals that incorporating philosophy into educational approaches can have valuable benefits for youngsters at the primary and secondary school stage.

It's worth stating that philosophy is often pushed aside considering it is something they know nothing about and possibly too academic for most learners.

So, why should students be learning philosophy? Are there any worthwhile reasons? There are.

  1. Philosophy Encourages Critical Thinking

  • Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information, make judgments, and solve problems.
  • Philosophy promotes critical thinking by encouraging people to question assumptions, examine the evidence, and evaluate arguments.
  • Examples of critical thinking in philosophy include analyzing ethical dilemmas, evaluating political arguments, and examining the nature of reality.
  1. Philosophy Expands Your Knowledge and Understanding of the World

  • Philosophy is a broad discipline that encompasses many different areas of study, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics.
  • Philosophy relates to other fields of study, such as science, history, and literature, by providing a framework for understanding and interpreting information.
  • Examples of how philosophy can expand knowledge and understanding include examining the nature of existence, exploring the foundations of knowledge, and questioning the meaning of life.
  1. Philosophy Provides Tools for Ethical and Moral Reasoning

  • Ethical reasoning is the process of evaluating moral issues and making decisions based on ethical principles.
  • Philosophy provides tools for ethical and moral reasoning by examining ethical theories and exploring ethical dilemmas.
  • Examples of ethical and moral reasoning in philosophy include analyzing the principles of justice, evaluating the ethics of medical research, and questioning the morality of war.
  1. Philosophy Cultivates Self-Awareness and Personal Growth

  • Self-awareness is the ability to understand one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
  • Philosophy can cultivate self-awareness by encouraging people to reflect on their values, beliefs, and assumptions.
  • The benefits of being self-aware include improved decision-making, increased empathy, and greater self-confidence.

Firstly, put very simply, philosophy is about an inquiring mind, a mind that is curious and questioning. Children ask plenty of questions; their endless supply of ‘why’ questions is an indication of that. Since philosophy is about sharing and discussing ideas that result from those, examining how we live, why things are, and anything that relates to the world and the way we all interact with it, young students might be perfect for this assignment.

Secondly, philosophical discussions with children can be prompted by simple stimuli like a book or a story and then inviting thoughts about what happened and why. For example, a simple story like ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ could prompt discussions about why the other kids behaved the way they did, whether was that ok and why not? Once children have become used to the idea that their ideas are welcomed, deeper moral or ethical questions can be asked such as the following:

  • Is it ever ok to steal?
  • Are all lies bad?
  • Can we think of times when it would be justified?

Thirdly, classroom discussions during philosophy class have many benefits for the learners. For example, the heated conversations are less about the conclusions they come to, and more about promoting skills which spill over into other aspects of their development, both educationally and personally. Some of these invaluable skills include speaking and listening, increased confidence and trust, development of the ability to argue and disagree but remain friends, extended reasoning ability, development of morals and ethics, and increased well-being as having their views heard make youngsters feel more valued.

After we've considered these three reasons to more enthusiastically encourage the study of philosophy during the formative years, are you convinced? If you still need a little push in the right direction, Claire Cassidy from the University of Strathclyde believes that the benefits of philosophy for children extend far beyond the curriculum and are a useful approach to their learning as she outlines here, in her article.

But, exactly are the primary techniques and teachings employed in the study of philosophy? Let's take a look at that in the following subheading.

What are the Primary Teachings of Philosophy?

the philosophical topic of ethics
At an elementary school level, ethics is the most standard topic of philosophy taught to students. (Source: Unsplash)

Depending on the age of the students, there are many different approaches that you can take to teaching philosophy. For instance, if the child is younger, you wouldn't want to introduce topics that are too complex and rigid. However, on the other hand, you don't want to bore older students with elementary teachings of philosophy.

Therefore, determining how far you dive into the study of philosophy during your classes is totally up to the teacher. 

Nonetheless, to get a standard idea of the most popular subjects of philosophy, take a look at the list below:

  • Axiology: known as the study of the nature of value,
  • Metaphysics: regarded as the analysis of the fundamental nature of reality,
  • Epistemology: everything has a limit, so epistemology discovers the study of nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge,
  • Ethics: exploring the difference between right and wrong is the study of ethics,
  • Aesthetics: when something looks and tastes pretty, you're studying the philosophical study of aesthetics,
  • Logic Philosophy: the types of logic and the study of nature,
  • Political Philosophy: the same speaks for itself, it's the study of government,

It's worth mentioning that at an elementary school level, you probably won't go much deeper than a study of ethics. However, as kids get older, they'll be fascinated by how layered philosophy is.

But, how can I teach philosophy intriguingly and engagingly? The following subheading answers that question.

What are Some Tips and Tricks to Teach Philosophy?

make it fun and lively
Teachers need to make ethics class fun by including plenty of hands-on activities. (Source: Unsplash)

Teachers want to do their best to present the information they are teaching appealingly. They want the subject matter to stick with the students so that they can remember it when exam time comes and for years in the future. So, how do teachers instruct their pupils about the basics of philosophy? Thankfully, there are many tips and tricks from experienced teachers on how to teach philosophy. Such as? Take a look at the following list:

  • Ask Many Questions: to get the ball rolling and students thinking, it's essential for teachers to ask viewpoint questions that cause their students to reason on the philosophical topics that you are bringing up to them.
  • Use Hands-On Activities: there is nothing more boring for primary and secondary school students than rigid classes that feature only note-taking and long lectures without any student participation. Therefore, whatever the age, it's essential to have hands-on activities such as drawings, mind maps, and lively group projects.
  • Technology is a Must: we're in the 21st century, so whether you're teaching maths or philosophy, you need to utilise technological aspects such as short videos, interactive activities available online, and fun games.

While there are many more suggestions that we could mention, it's worth stating that the three previously mentioned tips are more than enough to get you started on the right foot!

In conclusion, studying philosophy isn't solely something reserved for academics at a university level. More and more students from primary and secondary school stages should be taught the fundamentals of philosophy to develop critical thinking and the ability to debate peacefully with others. Let's get learning!

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Brentyn

Avid movie-goer, reader, skier and language learner. Passionate about life, food and travelling.