1 More positive aspects of philosophy Original Greek: Philo (loving) + Sophia (wisdom) Did one of your family or teachers have a philosophy (of life) that you admired? Do you have a philosophy of sport, or of cooking, and of education?

2 Wise Up Socrates ( B.C.) Wisdom begins in wonder. Good learning begins with questions, not answers Professor Guy Claxton

3 Process and Content He who learns, but does not think, is lost. He who thinks, but does not learn, is in great danger. Confucius (551 – 479 bc)

4 Aims of P4C The aim of a thinking skills program such as P4C to help (children) become more thoughtful, more reflective, more considerate and more reasonable individuals. Matthew Lipman ( )

5 Overview of P4/wC Originated in New Jersey, early 70s, as a Thinking Skills programme Now taken up equally to promote Social and Emotional Skills Practised in about 5,000 schools in USA Now being developed in over 60 countries, some specifically to promote democratic values (e.g. Bulgaria, S. Korea) Established in UK in early 90s after BBC documentary, Socrates for 6 year olds, inspired founding of SAPERE About 10,000 teachers now through basic training (min. 10 hours) Typical timetabling: 1 hour per week, shown in Scotland to improve performance in key aspects of learning (Also used for adult recreation – PiPs and POP – hence Philosophy for Communities)

6 Clackmannanshire Head Teachers perceptions of positive change Improved Questioning and Reasoning skills Improved Reading and Understanding skills Improved Listening skills Improved Communication skills Improved Behaviour 18 Primary schools, 1 hour Philosophy a week, 1 Year

7 Community of Philosophical Enquiry – Basic Practices and Principles sitting in a circle or horseshoe (equality of status) turntaking, voting, wrong to put down, right to pass, etc. (fairness of process and respect for persons) practice of questioning and responding (spirit of enquiry and engagement with learning) reflecting, esp. seeking and giving reasons (ideal of reasonableness)

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9 Concepts for enquiry COMMON= of everyday concern CENTRAL…to the way people think CONTESTABLE= not easy to agree about

10 Big Ideas Chart ABCDEFGHIJABCDEFGHIJ KLMNOPQRKLMNOPQR STUVWXYZSTUVWXYZ

11 The 4 Cs of P4C Thinking mode CRITICAL CREATIVE CARING COLLABORATIVE Thinking focus ABOUT THINKING FOR YOURSELF OF OTHERS WITH OTHERS

12 Philosophys enduring principle Socrates ( B.C.) Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued

13 The unexamined life is not worth living QCDA endorses Socrates

14 Still thinking? Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. Malcom S. Forbes ( ) The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking... the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker. - Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)

15 SAPERE (Society for Advancing Philosophical Enquiry and Reflection in Education) Website: