tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post3139079653913923439..comments2023-12-31T03:56:05.988+11:00Comments on EQUIP book club: Kant, Isabel, and Christianity (by Dani)EQUIP Book Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151092103823699320noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post-91133102039944775802009-03-15T19:50:00.000+11:002009-03-15T19:50:00.000+11:00I heard the start of that one too -- we must all h...I heard the start of that one too -- we must all have the same radio station on in the car! <BR/><BR/>The term 'philosophy' can be used to refer to a body of beliefs (like Kant's philosophy, Hume's philosophy, etc.) but it can also be used as to refer to an approach to answering questions. In what I heard of that interview, the teacher was using it very much in the latter sense, teaching the students to think about big questions, to be critical thinkers, to think carefully about what they believe and why. <BR/><BR/>I think this is a really valuable thing to teach, though it does frustrate me sometimes that the questioning is seen as more important than the truth. However if you are teaching philosophy as a tool or a way of thinking, and not trying to get to any particular answers, it's a useful exercise (kind of like sewing straight lines onto material with a sewing machine: it doesn't make anything, but it does teach you skills you need so you can eventually make something). If that's all you ever do, it's a bit pointless, but hopefully these are tools the students will take with them and put to good use. <BR/><BR/>The point of all that was to say that I don't think the teacher who was interviewed was denying that there are truths and falsehoods about the big questions, but that that wasn't really what the aim of the philosophy lessons was: it was to teach a skill.<BR/><BR/>As I said, though, I missed the end of the interview so I might have that all wrong... !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post-66431483620408672372009-03-12T13:14:00.000+11:002009-03-12T13:14:00.000+11:00Hi Alison,I heard the same interview, and just put...Hi Alison,<BR/><BR/>I heard the same interview, and just put up a quick post about it. Thanks for you thoughtful comment!Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01290984903696839862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post-21040492792245387802009-03-12T11:43:00.000+11:002009-03-12T11:43:00.000+11:00Hi Nicole & Dani,I can't believe I'm a...Hi Nicole & Dani,<BR/>I can't believe I'm already back posting another comment!<BR/>As I write, Richard Fidler is talking on "The Conversation Hour" to a teacher who has started teaching philosophy to children from prep age in a school in Queensland. <BR/><BR/>It's very interesting to hear the reasoning behind teaching philosophy to children - it's good to hear her desire to help children be thoughtful, reflective & "think around the corners" etc, but there isn't an expectation that there are absolutes or foundations for life & behaviour that lie outside ourselves & are true for all people across all time. <BR/><BR/>Is philosophy becoming popularised & trendy?<BR/><BR/>Alison BlakeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com