[Catalist] Longevity revisited

[Roy Skinner]

Graphs plotted in the 1970s showed that there was a good correlation between monetary wealth and longevity. It seemed obvious that the more money you have the better food and living comforts you could afford and hence the link.

However, in the 1980s this link was picked further apart for other lifestyle factors and found that there was a stronger correlation between death age and education. A country like Cuba has a greater longevity than USA and is generally much poorer, whereas Equatorial New Guinea is very oil-rich and yet has an average death age of only 60.

Of course, the two factors are linked as more highly educated populations would naturally have more wealth but education is the key factor for living longer.

I think we need to stress this to our students – we are prolonging their lives by education them so forget the new-age vitamins and medicines!

Roy

 

From: Catalist [mailto:catalist-bounces at lists.stawa.net] On Behalf Of Michael McGarry
Sent: Sunday, 6 May 2018 12:24 PM
To: WA Science Teachers Discussion List <catalist at lists.stawa.net>
Subject: [Catalist] Philosophy in Schools

 

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

For example in NSW: URL 2: 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

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

SAPERE URL 5: https://www.sapere.org.uk

ICPIC URL 6: http://icpic.org

Federation of Australasian Philosophy in Schools Associations

FAPSA URL 7: http://fapsa.org.au/associations/

2018 FAPSA Conference URL 8: 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



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