Definition of Philosophy

Philosophy for Kids

by

“Since philosophy is the art which teaches us how to live, and since children need to learn it as much as we do at other ages, why do we not instruct them in it?” ~ Michel De Montaigne On Education 1533-1592

thinking_kid
Instructing children in philosophy is exactly what Philosopher Leighton Evans and The Philosophy Shop intends to do. Leighton Evans is seeking to get primary schools in the UK to see not only the usefulness but also the feasibility of teaching kids to think philosophically. According to Philosophy Shop advantages to children will include “raised IQ, raised self-confidence and improved emotional intelligence.” As for the question of feasibility, though it may seem unlikely that kids from 7 to 11 years old will understand the principles of philosophy, Evans says that their age group is actually “well suited to this type of thinking. They are not burdened by the subject knowledge they are going to gain through school.” Furthermore, according to Dr Ieuan Williams children are “natural philosophers in that they ask important questions about the world and about human life and morality.” Thus their natural curiosity combined with their open-mindedness makes them ideal for thinking outside the box.

Philosophy Shop is not going to be the one conducting philosophy classes to kids but instead trains the teachers/philosophers how to use philosophy methods in the classroom and thus encourage a philosophical attitude among children.

Originally posted on July 13, 2011 @ 10:45 am

Should Philosophies Be Thrown Out the Window?

by

Today we are all sticking to the usual philosophies of trying to survive. It is apparent that we are now at the stage of being tempted to go beyond our principles thanks to the hard times. Many are trying to live up to their principles but it should not be surprising when all of these personal philosophies suddenly find themselves out of the window.

Such is the situation that we all find ourselves in. Times are hard and despite such philosophical beliefs and traditions through the years, the fact remains that some adjustments that include having to suck up our pride and live according to how we can today is apparent.

People who are hard-headed and want to stick to their original philosophies are commendable. But it has been months now and the future looks bleaker by the day. We see the realities of an economic catastrophe and even the big names in the business and entrepreneurial industry are following suit. Given all these factors, how long can we hold out before we admit that we must make the necessary moves to adhere towards wise living moves?

It is not easy to go back on your original personal philosophy. Some would even call it sheepish. But today you just have to make the adjustments and find a way to survive. Pride certainly will not help and if people are mature and rational, they would agree that today is not the best time to be hardheaded.

Originally posted on July 27, 2011 @ 11:09 pm

Role of Music in this World (From the Archives)

by

karl_paulnackI just read Karl Paulnack’s welcome address to incoming freshmen at the Boston Conservatory of Music and was not only deeply moved by it but was really pleased with his take on music. As a music lover I never really had a philosophy about music but has instinctively known its importance to society. Paulnack’s speech is a really good insight to music and its function to society not because of its facts (though some facts were stated) but because it speaks of a truth that resonates in our emotions.

Here are snippets of his speech that focuses on his take on the Greek’s view of music as well as his own opinion on his and every musician’s purpose or job description.

“The first people to understand how music really works were the ancient Greeks. And this is going to fascinate you; the Greeks said that music and astronomy were two sides of the same coin. Astronomy was seen as the study of relationships between observable, permanent, external objects, and music was seen as the study of relationships between invisible, internal, hidden objects. Music has a way of finding the big, invisible moving pieces inside our hearts and souls and helping us figure out the position of things inside us.”

“If we were a medical school, and you were here as a med student practicing appendectomies, you’d take your work very seriously because you would imagine that some night at two AM someone is going to waltz into your emergency room and you’re going to have to save their life. Well, my friends, someday at 8 PM someone is going to walk into your concert hall and bring you a mind that is confused, a heart that is overwhelmed, a soul that is weary. Whether they go out whole again will depend partly on how well you do your craft. You’re not here to become an entertainer, and you don’t have to sell yourself. The truth is you don’t have anything to sell; being a musician isn’t about dispensing a product, like selling used Chevys. I’m not an entertainer; I’m a lot closer to a paramedic, a firefighter, a rescue worker. You’re here to become a sort of therapist for the human soul, a spiritual version of a chiropractor, physical therapist, someone who works with our insides to see if they get things to line up, to see if we can come into harmony with ourselves and be healthy and happy and well.”

Originally posted on January 31, 2011 @ 11:17 am

Experimental Philosophy: An Exciting Emerging Field

by

xpsExperimental philosophy is still a relatively new field of study, which started last 2000 when a group of students decided to apply experimental procedures used in psychology to philosophy. According to the Experimental Philosophy Society “experimental philosophy involves the collection of empirical data to shed light on philosophical issues.” This empirical data is usually gathered through surveys wherein the participants are ordinary people. This is obviously a much different approach than the traditional analytical philosophy wherein philosophers based their arguments on premises they come up with. As can be expected, criticism regarding experimental philosophy abound.

Despite the resistance of many philosophers to experimental philosophy this emerging field in philosophy is also being welcomed quite warmly, not only among seasoned philosophers but among people from other field of studies. The reason for this is that due to the nature or experimental philosophy (data collection) those from related fields of study can contribute much. As the mission statement of the Experimental Philosophy Society states, “it is expected that the membership of the society will include faculty, students, and interested amateurs not only in philosophy but also in psychology, anthropology, sociology, law, and other related fields.”

Right now areas of research in experimental philosophy include consciousness, cultural diversity, determinism and moral responsibility, and intentional action. For an updated list of research using experimental philosophy visit the X-Phi wiki. You can even add your paper, as long as it uses experimental philosophy of course.

Originally posted on February 15, 2011 @ 10:47 am