Definition of Philosophy

Philosophy for Kids

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“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

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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.

The Value of a Good Teacher or Speaker

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Knowledge is free but perking up your intellect can be done in many ways. Teachings picked up from classes or lectures will always be there but the method of delivering and interpreting them in a way so that an audience can properly understand and pick up the fine lines in them is another. In short, it takes a wise person to deliver the goods, opening the minds of listeners who are usually not that fast when it comes to understanding new terminologies and practices today.

This goes beyond business. It can cater to law, medicine or even environmental concerns. The main source of all knowledge are the books that we see, most of which we don’t read from cover to cover. Not all people are made to read books and in these cases, it seems that the need for a mediator in the form of teachers or resource speakers enlighten the subject matter a whole lot more.

Many say that expediting such terminologies is a talent. But if you look at it, it just needs practice and a lot of self-confidence. An audience can fare well and understand topics of various areas if they see that the one preaching it knows it to the letter. Further, enhancing discussions to make it interesting in their eyes is another, a strategy that can perhaps teach many that expanding a certain subject matter can be done by first ensuring that your audience is indeed listening.

Does Higher Education Make Any Difference?

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We see a lot of people taking up higher studies. Normally these are the additional vocational degrees or the professional schools we know as Masters degrees. While not all people can have the time or afford to get into them, being adjudged a certified MBA degree holder logically holds a brighter future for anyone. Or does it?

For one, the philosophical hypothesis that most MBA graduates hold are often for the better in any business perspective. Advanced education often holds that people with MBA degrees are seasoned and adequately trained to handle real life issues in the world of business and management. But while that is something expected today, it seems that the surplus of MBA degree holders has been somewhat overflowing, making it a standoff as far as choosing the right person with the right degree to handle a business that wants to follow a certain route.

Especially now that most companies are experiencing a lot of turbulence in the business world, one cannot help but think if MBA degree holders still have a bearing in business entities. Are they a need at this point?

From the way things are going, it seems business can function without them. It is either that or companies are just trying to preserve their salary caps since MBA degree holders will be asking for the stars.

With that in mind, does the MBA philosophy make any sense? Why take up advanced professional studies if they are no longer recognized in the field of business? Maybe for entrepreneurs it is a requirement but as far as career is concerned, a lot of questions on why they should take an MBA degree is in the air.

Education’s role in promoting Ethics

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education.jpgEducation is the key and this applies not only to the US, but for all people around the world who are only now beginning to get a taste of how good democracy and freedom is. China’s older generation is void of such concepts but the events of the past five or six years where the government has accepted more liberal ideas allowing free trade fueling it’s breakneck economic boom placing it before the laws that are widely accepted around the world. Many see China as the biggest market on the earth which has credence for they have 1.3 Billion citizens and it is just about opening up to the world of trade and products from the country is beginning to flood world markets. Here too, the rapid economic growth of the several economic regions in China has spurred unlikely problems like their habit of cutting corners in order to increase profits to the use of sub-standard materials in the manufacture of products for export abroad. Recalls of various products which have been found to contain dangerous amounts of poisonous chemicals contained within paints and other finishing products (even toothpaste that is laced with trace amounts of anti-freeze chemicals) have led to many arrests and rapid changes to the government’s governance regarding products standards. These manufacturers are simply not used to following rules and do whatever it takes to deliver finished products which have resulted in deaths and health problems mainly in children who have used such products.

 

China faces many hurdles to become a more open and transparent state but being a socialist state may be one of it’s main obstacles. The government hopes to increase profits in terms of economic growth but another aspect of that society that has ruled the country which is human rights has repeatedly failed world standards. The education system of China has also been forced to adopt more open curricula such as the teaching of democracy which is a word banned from the verbal repertoire of many generations of Chinese in times past. The population might be finding it hard to adopt a more open world but this might be the only way for China to continue its growth and evolution into one of the world’s greatest economic powers. The next ten years will be the determining period if the growth in its economy will continue or the drive will simply crumble and fail into oblivion.