Philosophy Stack Exchange
Philosophy Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [education]

67 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 'links in bio' Ericson
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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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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…
Handsome Nerd
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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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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 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…
mavavilj
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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
9
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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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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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Is rhetoric philosophy?

In rhetoric, students are primarily concerned with making arguments that are convincing. Rhetoricians who deviated from the truth were rightly skewered in Socrates' time for their problematic "sophistry"... but what about rhetoricians who don't…
elliot svensson
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How important is studying higher mathematics for graduate study in philosophy?

I am planning to apply to phd programs in philosophy. I am majoring in philosophy but I also have the opportunity to complete a second major in math (I have a few more classes to go). I'd like to finish my math major, but I'm concerned that my math…
Smithey
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Hard stuff made easy?

There is a philosophical assumption, inspired by educational didactics, which consists of thinking that any concept, no matter how intricate, can be presented in simple words and easily understood if it is adequately exemplified. The title of the…
Davius
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