Primary School children taught Philosophy

[Ichingcarpenter]

A school in east London has hit upon a novel way to reign in the young'uns and keep them from that common bugbear, anti-social behaviour: get them pondering philosophical questions about life, the universe and everything.

Gallions Primary School in Warsall, Beckton, introduced a course called Philosophy for Children in 2004, and in just a few years it has reaped great rewards. Behaviour at the school has dramatically improved so much that they've launched a DVD, Thinking Allowed, highlighting the effectiveness of such methods.

In a school where many of the pupils were regularly in the doghouse over behavioural problems, the change in attitudes toward learning is immense. The kids now "challenge each other's ideas in an assertive and non-aggressive way" and demonstrate "judgements based on reason". Said one tyke:

Philosophy's changed my lifestyle. Now I know that I can listen to other people's opinions, and I can say what I believe.

Wonderful, but presumably such inspiring words come from one yet to encounter the Hobbesian description of life as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short". And surely the fiendish scheming of Machiavelli has plenty of applications in the modern urban school system, not all of them benign.
http://londonist.com/2008/02/less_beef_more.php

[Vilis Veritas]

1. This is a good idea. I teach my son similar lessons.

To teach a young child at an early age to not be afraid to think for themselves is always a good thing.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. More from the BBC

Head teacher Paul Jackson said: "Nearly all the children who came to our school did so because they had failed at their previous schools. They, and their parents, were disillusioned with the concept of education."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7232693.stm

[Uncle Joe]

3. I believe this is a great idea!

Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Ichingcarpenter.:thumbsup:

[TahitiNut]

4. The study of knowing.

In a world where we're told to believe both the false and the unknowable it's important that we learn, as early as possible, approaches to knowing and believing. Without this, learning is mere regurgitation without digestion.

[blondeatlast]

5. My son asked me some amazing questions about life when he was about four and continues to do so.

I would love it if he had had such an opportunity!

[Vilis Veritas]

6. I knew the name sounded familiar.

There was a program here in the states in the late 80's with the name Thinking Allowed. Much different premise, but philosphy was a part of it.

http://www.thinking-allowed.com/about.html

[aikoaiko]

7. Camus twisted my soul

There is no point to living, but we are compelled to live.


I had to smoke a lot of dope in high school before I wanted to live again.

[gateley]

8. This is wonderful. I'm sure I could learn a lot from that course, too. nt