Should Philosophy be part of Public Education?

[Buddha Dharma]

Given the concerns often voiced that modern schools only teach children to be consumers and obey authority- isn't this a good reason for having Philosophy as part of education again? The schools of Philosophy kids would learn about would be enough to get any mind to thinking.

 

[Rival]

I believe it should. I took a 2 year Philosophy course and it opened my mind immensely. It is good for debate skills, critical thinking, learning new ideas and generally just thinking beyond one's norms. It just seems to add another dimension to life that we desperately need.

Requires a good teacher though. Ours was Greek so it was part of his culture.

 

[Polymath257]

I can think of a lot of courses that *should* be required. The good thing about philosophy is, that when properly done, it can help in developing basic logic skills and critical thinking.

The problem is that you need a teacher that has some background in philosophy and has some critical thinking skills themselves. Unfortunately, this is less common that we would like.

I also think some basic computer programming skills should be required with the goal of learning how algorithms work and how to develop basic programs. That would also increase logic skills and debugging would help in critical thinking. But, again, it requires teachers that have the skills required. Most do not.

And, let's face it, any real philosophy course would lead students to challenge the beliefs of their parents (even more than they already do), which would probably nor well with the tax base. Let's face it, most parents don't have critical thinking skills and really don't want they children to either (no matter what they say).

 

[Augustus]

Yes. Would be a big help to those who go on to study sciences, those who go on to study computing, those who go on to study liberal arts or humanities, and everybody else for that matter.

 

[Skwim]

IMO, philosophy in general is far to large and difficult of a subject for high school kids. However, one branch of it, informal logic and perhaps a bit of introductory formal logic would be good subjects to go in to.

.
.

 

[Buddha Dharma]

IMO, philosophy in general is far to large and difficult of a subject for high school kids.

Why do you think that?

However, one branch of it, informal logic and perhaps a bit of introductory formal logic would be good subjects to go in to.

That's a good start. I'd take it.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Given the concerns often voiced that modern schools only teach children to be consumers and obey authority- isn't this a good reason for having Philosophy as part of education again? The schools of Philosophy kids would learn about would be enough to get any mind to thinking.

I think school should get back to the fundamentals.

Reading, english, science and mathematics.

 

[Skwim]

Why do you think that?

I recall my philosophy courses in college (3 of them), and while I had no trouble with them quite a few of the others did. I think they'd be too discouraging to too many high school kids. The word would get out and very few would sign up for future classes.

.

 

[allfoak]

Given the concerns often voiced that modern schools only teach children to be consumers and obey authority-

By design.

 

[Sunstone]

Teaching primary school children philosophy improves English and maths skills, says study

 

[sandy whitelinger]

I can think of a lot of courses that *should* be required. The good thing about philosophy is, that when properly done, it can help in developing basic logic skills and critical thinking.

The problem is that you need a teacher that has some background in philosophy and has some critical thinking skills themselves. Unfortunately, this is less common that we would like.

I also think some basic computer programming skills should be required with the goal of learning how algorithms work and how to develop basic programs. That would also increase logic skills and debugging would help in critical thinking. But, again, it requires teachers that have the skills required. Most do not.

And, let's face it, any real philosophy course would lead students to challenge the beliefs of their parents (even more than they already do), which would probably nor well with the tax base. Let's face it, most parents don't have critical thinking skills and really don't want they children to either (no matter what they say).

With all those enlightening classes, who going to become an auto mechanic?

 

[Sunstone]

With all those enlightening classes, who going to become an auto mechanic?

The good auto mechanics I've known where highly logical thinkers -- at least when it came to mechanical problems. Philosophy does teach logical thinking.

 

[Enoch07]

Given the concerns often voiced that modern schools only teach children to be consumers and obey authority- isn't this a good reason for having Philosophy as part of education again? The schools of Philosophy kids would learn about would be enough to get any mind to thinking.

Kids can barely comprehend putting dishes in the dishwasher. They ain't ready for Voltaire.

 

[sayak83]

Given the concerns often voiced that modern schools only teach children to be consumers and obey authority- isn't this a good reason for having Philosophy as part of education again? The schools of Philosophy kids would learn about would be enough to get any mind to thinking.

In schools or in college? In schools, there could be a general logic and critical thinking course within which aspects of philosophy may be taught. Increasing course load too much in schools is not a very good idea. In college, sure.

 

[Valjean]

IMO, philosophy in general is far to large and difficult of a subject for high school kids. However, one branch of it, informal logic and perhaps a bit of introductory formal logic would be good subjects to go in to.

Couldn't you say the same thing about science, mathematics or history?

I recall my philosophy courses in college (3 of them), and while I had no trouble with them quite a few of the others did. I think they'd be too discouraging to too many high school kids. The word would get out and very few would sign up for future classes.

Had students received no elementary education in maths or science, I daresay they'd be similarly overwhelmed when these were introduced at college levels.

With all those enlightening classes, who going to become an auto mechanic?

There's more to education, IMHO, than vocational training. People are more than mere workers.

Kids can barely comprehend putting dishes in the dishwasher. They ain't ready for Voltaire.

Speak for your own kids, Enoch.

Different countries have different curricula, emphasizing different core curricula. Some introduce philosophy from the earliest levels, continuing, as a basic area through college.
Why must French pupils master philosophy?

.

.
.

 

[Enoch07]

Speak for your own kids, Enoch.

Luckily my kiddo has grown into a responsible young woman regarding chores. I loaned her $300 to buy a new 4k tv on sale last week and she has already paid back over half of it. But yeah my neighbors has 2 early teens, they both just got kicked out of school for being violent little hoodlums. So not everyone is lucky like us.

 

[Buddha Dharma]

I think school should get back to the fundamentals.

Reading, english, science and mathematics.

Do you feel they've ever departed from these 'fundamentals'?

 

[Buddha Dharma]

I recall my philosophy courses in college (3 of them), and while I had no trouble with them quite a few of the others did. I think they'd be too discouraging to too many high school kids. The word would get out and very few would sign up for future classes.

.

There is philosophy material for younger ages out there. I wasn't running the idea of philosophy an elective- in response to the latter part of your post.

As others have already responded since, so I won't go into this too much- philosophy is part of public education in several countries.

 

[Buddha Dharma]

Increasing course load too much in schools is not a very good idea. In college, sure.

I don't think you realize how terrible the American education system is, and how short we sell our youth already. They could use an increase in course work. Of course, they could also use a competent education system not managed by evangelicals. It's so bad, I remember reading an article some time ago that suggested the majority of American teachers do not understand the basics of evolution they are supposed to be teaching.

 

[Skwim]

Couldn't you say the same thing about science, mathematics or history?
Had students received no elementary education in maths or science, I daresay they'd be similarly overwhelmed when these were introduced at college levels.

No I couldn't. For one thing, science, mathematics, and history classes are pretty much extensions of previous exposures to these subjects. For another, philosophy deals almost entirely in non-tangible subjects such as mental representations involving propositions, inferences, and conceptual analysis. Stuff that's very unfamiliar to the new student.

There's more to education, IMHO, than vocational training. People are more than mere workers.

And unfortunately not enough of this non-vocational training is sinking in.

.​

.

.