Why kids — now more than ever — need to learn philosophy. Yes, philosophy.

[inanna]

By Valerie Strauss February 3 at 2:15 PM

The idea that schoolchildren should become philosophers will be scoffed at by school boards, teachers, parents, and philosophers alike. The latter will question whether kids can even do philosophy, while the former likely have only a passing familiarity with it, if any — possibly leading them to conclude that it’s beyond useless.

Yet nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, nothing could be more important to the future well-being of both our kids and society as a whole than that they learn how to be philosophers.

<snip>

To see why this is vital, just consider the state of discourse in the current presidential election cycle. From issues of racism, economic inequality, gun violence, domestic and foreign terrorism to climate change, the inability of the candidates and their respective parties to engage in fruitful public discourse is a manifestation of our own adult dysfunction writ large.

Consider what Pew Research Center’s series on political polarization found last year:

“Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines – and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive – than at any point in the last two decades. These trends manifest themselves in myriad ways, both in politics and in everyday life.”

cont'd...

Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/02/03/why-kids-now-more-than-ever-need-to-learn-philosophy-yes-philosophy/

[SheilaT]

1. Taking philosopy classes, or reading the various philosophers,

really teaches kids to think. I took several such classes in college, and briefly flirted with the notion of majoring in philosophy. I didn't but I'm sorry I didn't take more of those classes.

[TexasProgresive]

4. ^^THIS^^^^^

Sheila takes the cake.

I would say this biggest problem I see in our country is that many have not learned to really think.

[cprise]

7. Since the 80s, don't American philosophy classes center on

the assertion that nothing can be known?

[SheilaT]

8. I have no idea, since I last took a philosophy class around 1980.

Actually a lot of the earliest philosophers dealt almost exclusively with the question of What Do We Know and How Do We Know That We Know What We Know.

Which is why reading the essay in which Descartes comes to the insight "I think, therefore I am" (or in the original Latin, "Cogito, ergo sum&quot is completely profound, not the glib statement that it seems to be out of context.

There are many aspects and schools of philosophy, and I'm no expert in any of them.

[jonno99]

2. K&R - I couldn't agree more...nt

[phantom power]

3. It's all about learning to assess the quality of an argument.

Philosophy is a good platform for that.

[awoke_in_2003]

5. The owners do not want people capable of thought...

they want obedient workers just smart enough to get the job done, like George Carlin said. Educated people capable of thought are dangerous to the power that be. Just look at the 60's.

[snagglepuss]

6. There's a reason schools are being underfunded and you nail it.