Philosophy is the study of basic questions about human life, like what we can really know. It means "love of wisdom" and comes from the Greek language. For example, are humans good or evil? Questions about reality and how we experience it are dealt with in some philosophy branches. Other branches explore behavior and what’s considered good or bad. Philosophers, who study philosophy, often specialize in a specific branch. They may write about their studies, agreeing or disagreeing with other philosophers. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, ancient Greek philosophers from over 2,000 years ago, were very influential. The Enlightenment of the 1700s also valued philosophy, leading to the American and French revolutions with its philosophes’ ideas.
The 4 C’s of Philosophy for Children
What are the 4 C’s of Philosophy for Children? Children learn to think more philosophically, encouraged by the 4Cs: creative, critical, caring, and collaborative. P4C lessons develop these skills. Creative thinking involves connecting and suggesting. Critical thinking includes questioning and reasoning. Caring thinking is about listening and valuing. Collaborative thinking means responding and supporting.
Teaching Philosophy to Children
Can you teach philosophy to children? Yes, teaching kids philosophy enhances their lifelong learning, prompting questions on improvement and discovery. Kids studying philosophy perform better in verbal and computational intelligence. Philosophy queries, like "Why?" from children, mirror those of adult philosophers. Curiosity makes children ideal philosophy students. Discussing profound books or responding to their questions with more questions can introduce them to philosophy. Some programs begin with stories, like "The Emperor’s New Clothes," to discuss philosophical questions. Although rare in the US, interest in teaching children philosophy is growing. Discussing children’s stories philosophically can enrich their understanding.
Definition of Philosophical Questions
What is a philosophical question? Philosophical questions delve into human nature, morality, the universe’s origins, and more, lacking simple answers. They’re interesting because they invite deep thought and interpretation. Examples include the universality of music, the impact of one individual, the desire to live forever, and the concept of soulmates. These questions consider life’s meaning, society’s biggest issue, potential world improvements, and the significance of age gaps in relationships.