- People say that's why they condemn it, but I have my doubts sometimes. As for practical application, research suggests that children exposed to philosophy experience behavioural and academic benefits across a range of areas, and I have no reason to think the same doesn't go for adults. I think the benefit is arguably more than just practical; plenty of people think it's inherently valuable.
- Go slow, don't assume your students know anything, and don't use big words. I've taught in a philosophy course where literally the only entry requirement is to be over 21. I think a higher proportion of adults from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds can deal with this stuff than we give them credit for.
- Indeed, and one of the other PEiPL working groups is focused on philosoph in schools. However, it's a long time before these kids are old enough to run the place, so in the interim it falls to us to work with the adults - regardless of their level of wealth or social strata.
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Apologies, I probably didn't articulate or fully complete my first statement (my focus was probably clouded by simultaneously formulating points 2 and 3).
Does, it have any practical value, by virtue of it being introduced into the mainstream so late and in limited doses.
I get what you say, in general we have the ability to grasp the detail and the content. And many of your students are the fortunate to be given the theory in a formal setting, so certainly they can discus philosophy with a measure of confidence. In my case I studied engineering, I had no exposure to philosophical doctrines or teaching whatsoever. So, I respond to philosophical content, without understanding the theory and it's true context in a series of theories. I therefore genuinely approach this subject with the confidence akin to a fish out of water. I constantly feel as though i'm always grabbing the cat at it's tail.
Using your example taking philosophy to the criminal justice system, facilities - there is probably a case to be made that if these people were exposed to philosophy much earlier in life then many of them, could've avoid the trip the corrective facilities.
Forgive me for interrupting, I just wanted to comment on point no.2
I studied Marketing/Advertising, and I also never took a class on Philosophy. But I love reading, and read a few books from writers who wrote kinda philosophical stuff like paulo coelho, jostein gaarder, antoine saint exupery (The Little Prince).
I know the names of A LOT of famous philosophers, but I can't tell you which philosophical theory came from which philosopher. There is no one theory or school of thought that I fully agree with anyway, so I couldn't say that I'm a nihilist or existentialist or whatever.
My point is, you don't have to be a "philosopher" or studied "philosophy" to talk about philosophy! All you need is an open mind and some free time to read Wikipedia =)
@somethingrandom - you are most welcome.
Having read and considered your comments;
I think what I am really getting at is that, in order for philosophy to have the positive impact it could have on society - it needs to be introduced more widespread in mainstream education, otherwise it's just great as a social conversation piece and ever evolving in academic circles.
I think you have articulated my point better than I could, in terms of the theoretical context of the various philosophies. Without that background one tends to create one's own context, which could be problematic.
I agree that philosophy should be introduced in mainstream education, like Maths or Science!
Creating your own context based on the information you have is a human thing, as everyone interprets things differently anyway, that's why there are so many versions/offshoots of the same religion or philosophy.
Hha, fair enough, but I'm cool with...
Not so cool with: Creating your own context based on the information you don't have...
HAHA! True that =)