Questions tagged [education]

79 questions
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Are there any philosophy books for an intelligent nine-year-old?

I would like to buy some books on philosophy for the child of a friend. He is very intelligent and mathematically able and clever for a nine-year-old. I remember near that age really enjoying the idea of logic (in particular syllogisms and some of…
Simd
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Does an education that teaches relativism alone result in students who can not make ethical decisions?

This is a followup to a previous question that suggests that skepticism leads inevitably to moral relativism. In this question, I'd like to look further down the slippery slope and think of the children! This argument is probably false, but I'd…
Jon Ericson
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Why is chinese philosophy usually ignored in western philosophy courses?

Is it because western tradition ignores them? Or because they think it's not philosophy, but mysticism? Or because they are afraid of losing ground to a superior thinking? Ignorance, prejudice or proselytism? Or something else? Or all of them?
Rodrigo
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What reasons could there be not to teach Spinoza in secondary school?

In The Netherlands, it's on some schools possible to get philosophy taught from the fourth to the sixth grade of high school (that's the age group 15-18). I've done this. I discovered that Spinoza's doctrine is scarcely taught in our country on…
user2953
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Is philosophy male-dominated? If so, why?

"Philosophy is for posh white boys with trust funds". A report by the Equality Challenge Unit in 2015 showed that over 70% of employed philosophers in the UK are white men. Of course, other countries might be a paradise of equality or this exchange…
Meanach
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Best way to start philosophy?

I'm a software engineer, have a passion for philosophy. But I have no background in human science, but I guess I'm good at logic. Can you provide a profound study path to philosophy? What are the best authentic, accurate and comprehensive…
Real Dreams
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Is there an alternative canon for Western modern philosophy?

After Richard Rorty died, Raymond Geuss wrote some recollections of their encounters. In his reminiscence, Geuss mentions that Rorty projected teaching an undergraduate course called "An Alternate History of Modern Philosophy". The idea was that…
gogolgadgets
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How to approach or consider racist philosophers?

I encountered the Wikipedia article on scientific racism, which attests to some famous philosophers' racism (eg Kant, Voltaire), whose works I`ll read about while self-learning philosophy. Their turpitude appalls and repels me, but does this affect…
user8572
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How to answer people who would claim that "philosophy is useless"?

How to answer people who would claim that "philosophy is useless"? My take: "Philosophy, since it by def. considers fundamental matters, such as existence, cannot be rationally neglected, because the whole existence of the subject (you) is itself a…
user16821
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What are the properties of Mathematical Objects?

I have been thinking a lot about how one knows when an observation contains mathematical elements. Many years ago when I was in school, I found that there was often little time taken out to discuss what makes a new concept being taught mathematical.…
Alonzo
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Could I be accepted to a Graduate program in Philosophy with only a B.A. in Computer Science?

I am wondering if it would be reasonable to apply to M.A. or Phd programs in Philosophy with only a B.A. in Computer Science. I have done a great deal of reading in the field of Philosophy, but have never taken a class. I would be looking mostly at…
Joe Cannatti
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Why is Philosophy not taught in schools or more widely studied?

(I am new to this section in stackexchange) Is it because the subject is too vague to become a subject? Also, when I meet college students, I ask them what they study, I find them studying a wide rage of subjects like physiology, medicine,…
Shafeek
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Are there any resources for teaching young children philosophy and logic?

My oldest child is nearly six years old and will be starting his first level of formal schooling in a few weeks. I don't believe he will be taught philosophy and logic in the classroom, so I would like to suppliment his education. Are there any…
Josh Peterson
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How to diminish the gaps in my knowledge about philosophy?

I have some formal training in philosophy, but I have lots of gaps in my knowledge. I mainly read what interests me, so the same gaps tend to remain - usually about things that doesn't draw my attention that much. A even bigger problem is that I…
Koeng
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tips for future philosophy student

In September I will begin my first year in uni and because I have studied philosophy only in high school, do you have any tips / advice to give me? I have been thinking a lot about the different courses I will be taking and more specifically about…
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