Michael S. Pritchard's Reasonable Children
Introducing philosophy to children is a very controversial subject. Michael S.
Pritchard, the author of Reasonable Children, explores the concept of introducing
philosophy to children within the schools before they enter their college years. Pritchard
assumed that the study of philosophy should begin at a college level. At the start of this
assignment my first reaction was similar to Pritchard’s, philosophy starts during the
college years. I could never imagine discussing this higher level thinking with children. I
believe that we all use philosophy throughout our lifetime without even knowing we are.
To question one thoughts, to think deep into situations, and to re-evaluate your choices
are all human nature. …show more content…
“Besides, Philosophy is a “troublemaker” he says. This is not so much true in
my eyes. Philosophy offers many positive aspects to life. It challenges us as humans to
think outside the normal realm of situations. It helps us grow as a person and think about
why we performed a certain task or why we made a certain choice. Yes, the curriculum is
very crowded that is true. Instead of us focusing on teaching philosophy as a total
separate subject, why not try to embed philosophy throughout each subject. Have
children think beyond the subject they are being taught. Hold discussions that let them
explore their minds on what they are learning. I am sure that by doing this you as an
educator will learn more about your children than you ever thought you would.
This will broaden the horizons of children’s thoughts. I agree with Lipman,
and that philosophy shines. He states that if schools should foster this critical thinking and
how would this task be accomplished. I played with this thought for a little while in my
head. Do we really want our children to think at this higher level? To question authority in
many aspects? Of course we do not want to be disrespected by the children, but if …show more content…
Lipman is the director of the Institute for the
Advancement of Philosophy for Children (IAPC). Harry and his fifth grade friends are
responsible for introducing actual children to philosophy. Throughout chapter three,
Philosophy for Children, we see how big of an influence Lipmans novel has been. Within
the ninety-six pages, Harry and all his friends use their own concepts and rules that
mirror Aristotle’s syllogistic logic. They explore the “concern to look at all sides of a issue,
to think consistently, to work out the implications of statements, to give reasons for what
they think rather than simply assert opinions, and to examine assumptions”. What
intrigue me with this is that the children did not ask or depend on adults to set their daily
schedule. The IAPC has a program called “community of inquiry” that you as a reader
will see the class convert to this. This program each student is encouraged to give reasons
to support whatever they do and say and to evaluate the view of others. How often do
people in general give support to their reasoning on situations. Through the
Pritchard, the author of Reasonable Children, explores the concept of introducing
philosophy to children within the schools before they enter their college years. Pritchard
assumed that the study of philosophy should begin at a college level. At the start of this
assignment my first reaction was similar to Pritchard’s, philosophy starts during the
college years. I could never imagine discussing this higher level thinking with children. I
believe that we all use philosophy throughout our lifetime without even knowing we are.
To question one thoughts, to think deep into situations, and to re-evaluate your choices
are all human nature. …show more content…
“Besides, Philosophy is a “troublemaker” he says. This is not so much true in
my eyes. Philosophy offers many positive aspects to life. It challenges us as humans to
think outside the normal realm of situations. It helps us grow as a person and think about
why we performed a certain task or why we made a certain choice. Yes, the curriculum is
very crowded that is true. Instead of us focusing on teaching philosophy as a total
separate subject, why not try to embed philosophy throughout each subject. Have
children think beyond the subject they are being taught. Hold discussions that let them
explore their minds on what they are learning. I am sure that by doing this you as an
educator will learn more about your children than you ever thought you would.
This will broaden the horizons of children’s thoughts. I agree with Lipman,
and that philosophy shines. He states that if schools should foster this critical thinking and
how would this task be accomplished. I played with this thought for a little while in my
head. Do we really want our children to think at this higher level? To question authority in
many aspects? Of course we do not want to be disrespected by the children, but if …show more content…
Lipman is the director of the Institute for the
Advancement of Philosophy for Children (IAPC). Harry and his fifth grade friends are
responsible for introducing actual children to philosophy. Throughout chapter three,
Philosophy for Children, we see how big of an influence Lipmans novel has been. Within
the ninety-six pages, Harry and all his friends use their own concepts and rules that
mirror Aristotle’s syllogistic logic. They explore the “concern to look at all sides of a issue,
to think consistently, to work out the implications of statements, to give reasons for what
they think rather than simply assert opinions, and to examine assumptions”. What
intrigue me with this is that the children did not ask or depend on adults to set their daily
schedule. The IAPC has a program called “community of inquiry” that you as a reader
will see the class convert to this. This program each student is encouraged to give reasons
to support whatever they do and say and to evaluate the view of others. How often do
people in general give support to their reasoning on situations. Through the