[Catalist] Philosophy in Schools

[Michael McGarry]

Philosophy in Schools

Greetings CATALIST/ASTARIX 2.0 subscribers,


If Australia is to progress to a well-educated and innovative nation, Australians must have self-reliance, use critical thinking, and practise philosophical ethics.


Self-reliance is the ability to do things and make decisions by yourself, without needing other people to help you.


Critical thinking refers to the objective analysis and evaluation of an argument in order to form a logical and dependable judgement.


Philosophical ethics is the study of morality using a rational, secular perspective based on the concepts of human happiness or well-being.


Philosophy for Children


In some Australian states students in Years 11 and 12 can study Philosophy and Ethics.  For example in WA: URL 1: https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/humanities-and-social-sciences/philosophy-and-ethics <https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/humanities-and-social-sciences/philosophy-and-ethics>
For example in NSW: URL 2: http://www.philosophyinschoolsnsw.org/?page_id=18 <http://www.philosophyinschoolsnsw.org/?page_id=18>
For example at Buranda State School: URL 3: https://burandass.eq.edu.au/Curriculum/Teachingandlearning/Pages/Philosophy-in-school.aspx <https://burandass.eq.edu.au/Curriculum/Teachingandlearning/Pages/Philosophy-in-school.aspx>
Philosophy for Children (P4C)


In the UK, children in Years 4 and 5 “… participate in group dialogues focused on philosophical issues. Dialogues are prompted by a stimulus (for example, a story or a video) and are based around [on] a concept such as ‘truth’, ‘fairness’ or ‘bullying’. The aim of P4C is to help children become more willing and able to ask questions, construct arguments, and engage in reasoned discussion.”


EEF Reference URL 4: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/Projects/Evaluation_Reports/EEF_Project_Report_PhilosophyForChildren.pdf <https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/Projects/Evaluation_Reports/EEF_Project_Report_PhilosophyForChildren.pdf>
SAPERE URL 5: https://www.sapere.org.uk <https://www.sapere.org.uk/>
ICPIC URL 6: http://icpic.org <http://icpic.org/>
Federation of Australasian Philosophy in Schools Associations


FAPSA URL 7: http://fapsa.org.au/associations/ <http://fapsa.org.au/associations/>
2018 FAPSA Conference URL 8: https://fapsa.org.au/conference/ <https://fapsa.org.au/conference/>
Question: In schools running a “Philosophy in Schools” programme is there robust communication between the Society and Environment and Science departments to promote self-reliance, critical thinking, and philosophical ethics in students?


Best Wishes,


Michael John McGarry

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.stawa.net/pipermail/catalist_lists.stawa.net/attachments/20180506/97016da7/attachment.html>