Should philosophy be taught at school as a mandatory subject? - Historum

Thessalonian · January 6th, 2012, 01:15 PM

The OP is clear. What do you think about this?
Would philosophy help students to think deeper?

**unclefred** · January 6th, 2012, 01:26 PM

I think a logic course would be good, perhaps in middle school.

Thessalonian · January 6th, 2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclefred

I think a logic course would be good, perhaps in middle school.

I second that.

**Efendi** · January 6th, 2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thessalonian

The OP is clear. What do you think about this?
Would philosophy help students to think deeper?

Of course. It is vitally important lesson to teach. By ignoring philosophy lessons, we create stupid generations because they aren't mature on how to criticize and think.

It is also disaster to teach raw brains, because they don't know what to do with information except for the motivation for earning money.

**beorna** · January 6th, 2012, 02:03 PM

In germany you can study philosophy in school. But it is not mandatory. I am against a mandatory lesson of philosophy, because there are so much more important lessons. If one likes to teach it for everyone mandatory, it should be included into history or the mother language lesson.

Thessalonian · January 6th, 2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beorna

In germany you can study philosophy in school. But it is not mandatory. I am against a mandatory lesson of philosophy, because there are so much more important lessons. If one likes to teach it for everyone mandatory, it should be included into history or the mother language lesson.

So which subjects are mandatory in German schools? (except science, that is). By science I refer to mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, biology etc.

**beorna** · January 6th, 2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thessalonian

So which subjects are mandatory in German schools? (except science, that is). By science I refer to mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, biology etc.

My three children are in the primary school, the kindergarden and still too young for both. So I really don't know what is mandatory today. A lot has changed till my school time. I could kick German lesson off my schedule, today it is mandatory till the end. I suppose today German is mandatory and mathematics and then one of the scientific lessons, physics, chemistry or biology. In my last year, as far as I can remember I had history, mathematics, geography, english, sports, physics,... Can't remember the rest.

**Louise C** · January 6th, 2012, 02:28 PM

No. philosophy is boring. Children are stuck with learning enough things that they don't want to already. Making the poor little things learn philosophy as well would be the last straw.

**bartieboy** · January 6th, 2012, 02:39 PM

There are things with a higher priority, good history lessons, decent teachers etc. etc.
Philosophy is of a lower priority

**bunyip** · January 6th, 2012, 02:52 PM

Quote:

because there are so much more important lessons

Not if it is taught properly,nor is it boring unless the teacher is incompetent or the student is clinically stupid.

Philosophy is at the core of civilisation. Philosophy teaches us how to reason (logic) and provides us with a rational base for science, law,politics and morality. EG a notion of the just war comes from a philosophical argument (Augustine Of Hippo)

Learning the basics of logical thought and some basics philosophical principles helps us think logically rationally and critically

OF COURSE children should be taught to question and think independently at the earliest possible time.That simply does not happen in most schools most of the time,at any level.