Philosophy for Children: Religion and Spirituality

The current public debate about the role and place of religion in Australia's education system feels very much like deja vu. The Religious Freedom Review2 may be new, but we've been here before. Religious schools have regularly been at the forefront of the evolving relationship between the state and religion in Australia, from the creation and collapse of the Church and Schools Corporation in the 1830s, and the implementation of the dual board system in the 1840s, to the removal of (...) all government funding for religious schools in the 1860s-90s, and then its reintroduction in the 1960s and '70s.3 The current debate about the extent to which religious schools will continue to be permitted to discriminate against students, staff and contractors in line with the religious ethos of the school is therefore just the latest reiteration of an ongoing narrative. (shrink)

There is an ongoing tension between the spheres of religious education and of theological studies. It is somewhat evident in the academy, and often enough emerges when the inevitable university restructure places religious education and theology in the same school, or situates religious education within education at a remove from theology, or any range of permutations. The tension is also felt in discussions between clergy, with a theological education behind them, and classroom teachers and religious education coordinators, whose training is (...) in education itself, and whose immediate concern is the children in front of them. This article is an attempt to set out some of the parameters at play in the interaction between the two disciplines, and to offer some areas where collaboration is highly desired. (shrink)

Rudolf Steiner, who draws attention with his multi-faceted works, is known for his important works in the fields of medicine, education, art and agriculture, as well as esotericism and occultism in particular. In this article, it is explicated to the intellectual infrastructure, the effect of the anthroposophy founded by Steiner and deals with the Spiritual Science, which Steiner created in a unique way. Rudolf Steiner has established an eclectic system by dissolving different schools such as Goethe's doctrine of nature, Rosicrucianism, (...) Kabbalah, Hinduism, Gnostic and Mystic Christianity in his system. The universality is dominant in Steiner's work. His inclusive ideas for all humanity suffered the reaction of the Nazis in his time. Steiner drew attention to the potential of discovering the senses of people by making a distinction between the sensory and the sensual world. The drive and power of discovering the spiritual world in humans has a significant share in his work. Steiner, who says he has seen and experienced the supernatural world personally, is intended to have more knowledge of other people about the supernatural world. The literature review was chosen as a method. Information gathered from different sources may provide a better understanding of Steiner's work. (shrink)

Two challenges facing Archbishop John Bede Polding after arriving in Sydney in 1835 were providing for the spiritual needs of Catholics in the colony and managing their affairs in a way that attempted to guarantee a good working relationship with the government. It became apparent to Polding that education was fundamental in developing both these areas. Polding regarded education as a means of social advancement, beneficial to those 'on the lower steps of the social scale'. He wanted a 'native race (...) of priests and statesmen, of lawyers and physicians, of solicitors, and sailors, and artists'. He sought to emulate Downside Abbey's approach to education in Australia; specifically in the field of secondary education that would 'transcend the mere bread-and-butter preoccupations of the masses and prepare an 'elite' from among whom the offices of Church and state could eventually be filled'. Polding's goal was to create schools that would provide a Catholic education for its students founded on the principles of Benedictine ideals. But, as Francesca Fitz-Walter argues, it was the colonial conditions of the time that placed obstacles on Polding's expression of the Benedictine ideal in education. Given that the colonial conditions of the time imposed restrictions on the expression of the Benedictine ideal, Polding still maintained that a lifelong education was significant in developing in the student the ability to make an informed Christian response to whatever circumstance might emerge in the life of that person. (shrink)

독특한 미국 신비 아디 다 (프랭클린 존스)의 삶과 영적 자서전의 간략한 리뷰. 일부 판의 표지에 있는 스티커는 '모든 시간의 가장 심오한 영적 자서전'이라고 적혀 있으며, 이것은 사실일 수도 있습니다. 저는 70대에 살고 있으며 영적인 교사들과 영성에 관한 많은 책을 읽었으며, 이것은 가장 위대한 책 중 하나입니다. 확실히, 그것은 b y 지금까지 내가 본 깨달음의 과정의가장 완전하고 명확한 , 계정입니다. 당신은 모든 인간의 심리적 과정의 가장 매혹적인에 전혀 관심이없는 경우에도, 그것은 종교, 요가, 인간의 심리학에 대한 큰 거래를 계시하고 인간의 가능성의 깊이와 (...) 한계를 탐구 놀라운 문서입니다. 나는 그것을 몇 가지 세부 사항으로 설명하고 그의 가르침을 현대 인도 신비오쇼의 가르침과 비교한다. 현대 의 두 시스템 보기에서인간의 행동에 대한 포괄적 인 최신 프레임 워크를 원하는 사람들은 내 책을 참조 할 수 있습니다'철학의 논리적 구조, 심리학, 민d와 루드비히 비트겐슈타인과 존 Searle의언어' 2nd ed (2019). 내 글의 더 많은 관심있는 사람들은 '이야기 원숭이를 볼 수 있습니다-철학, 심리학, 과학, 종교와 운명 행성에 정치 - 기사 및 리뷰 2006-2019 3 rd 에드 (2019) 및 21st 세기 4번째 에드 (2019) 및 기타에서 자살 유토피아 망상. (shrink)

E 'sia sorprendente e appropriato che questo enorme, gergo-carico (questo libro ha davvero bisogno di un glossario!), lavoro pesantemente accademico è diventato un best seller nel mondo degli istruiti. Bisogna dedicarsi a imparare il gergo e poi ad arare attraverso 551 pagine di testo e 238 pagine di note. Meanwhile, ci viene detto più e più volte che questo è solo un contorno di ciò che verrà! Anche se critica severamente gli eccessi dei tre movimenti, si tratta di un'interpretazione mistica (...) e postmoderna decostruttiva e New Age della religione, della filosofia e delle scienze comportamentali da un punto di vista molto liberale e spirituale, cioè senza il peggior decon, pm e Vietnam gergo, egualitarismo rabbioso e anti-intellettualismo. Si ottiene un fantastico campionamento di scritte sbagliate, idee confuse e obsolete e gergo obsoleto. Se uno ha una buona istruzione attuale, è doppiamente doloroso leggere questo libro (e la maggior parte della scrittura sul comportamento umano). Doloroso perché è così torturato e confuso, e poi di nuovo quando ti rendi conto di quanto sia semplice con la psicologia moderna e la filosofia. La terminologia e le idee sono orribilmente confuse e datate (ma meno nell'analisi di Wilber che nelle sue fonti). Questo libro e la maggior parte delle sue fonti sono testi di psicologia aspiranti, anche se la maggior parte degli autori non se ne rese conto. Si tratta del comportamento umano e del ragionamento sul perché pensiamo e agiamo come facciamo e come potremmo cambiare in futuro. Ma (come tutte queste discussioni fino a poco tempo fa) nessuna delle esplicazionisono davvero spiegazioni, e quindi non danno alcuna comprensione del comportamento umano. Nessuno discute i meccanismi mentali coinvolti. È come descrivere come funziona un'auto discutendoil volante e il metallo e vernice senza alcuna conoscenza del motore, del carburante o del treno a trazione. Infatti, come la maggior parte delle più vecchie spiegazioni di comportamento, i testi citatiqui e i comments di Wilber sono spesso più interessanti per che tipo di cose che accettano (eomettere!) come spiegazioni, e il tipo di ragionamento they uso, che per il contenuto effettivo. Se si è sulla filosofia e la psicologia cognitiva ed evolutiva, la maggior parte di questo è arcaico. Come quasi tutti (studiosi e pubblico allo stesso modo-e.g. vedi la mia recensione di Freedom Evolves di Dennett e di altri libri), non capisce che le basi della religione e dell'etica, in realtà tutti i comportamenti umani, sono programmati nei nostri geni. Una rivoluzione nella comprensione di noi stessi stava avvenendo mentre scriveva i suoi numerosi libri e lo passava davanti. Coloro che desiderano un quadro aggiornato completo per il comportamento umano dalla moderna vista a due systems possono consultare il mio libro 'La struttura logica dellafilosofia, psicologia, Mind e il linguaggio in Ludwig Wittgenstein e John Searle' 2nd ed (2019). Coloro che sono interessati a più dei miei scritti possono vedere 'TalkingMonkeys--Filosofia, Psicologia, Scienza, Religione e Politica su un Pianeta Condannato--Articoli e Recensioni 2006-2019 3rd ed (2019) e Suicidal Utopian Delusions nel 21st Century 4th ed (2019) . (shrink)

One important aim of moral philosophy courses is to help students build the skills necessary to make their own well-reasoned decisions about moral issues. This includes the skill of determining when a particular moral reason provides a good answer to a moral question or not. Helping students think critically about religious reasons like “because God says so” and “because scripture explicitly says so” can be challenging because such lessons can be misperceived as coercive or anti-religious. I describe a framework for (...) teaching about religion and moral reasons that I have found overcomes these challenges while also building generalizable skill at analyzing and evaluating moral reasons. (shrink)

The authors describe the organization of a review of research literature on the relationship between Philosophy for/with Children (P4/wC) and religious education/education for spirituality (RE-EfS). They summarize a debate about whether the two are mutually enhancing or incompatible. They explain delimiting the scope of the project and present a grid of research questions used to analyze the literature. They summarize findings on how P4/wC is relevant to five categories of aims of RE-EfS: hermeneutical, cultural, socio-political, moral/spiritual, and epistemological. Many papers (...) in the latter category promote P4/wC as a method for children’s epistemic agency in constructing their religious beliefs. Some respond to objections that children may reject traditional beliefs. Few address potential confusion and angst of children asked to question and defend their religious views. The authors conclude that the pragmatic thrust of P4/wC in resisting a dichotomy between religious and scientific thinking is a value to post-secular society. (shrink)

This rich and diverse collection offers a range of perspectives and practices of Philosophy for Children (P4C). P4C has become a significant educational and philosophical movement with growing impact on schools and educational policy. Its community of inquiry pedagogy has been taken up in community, adult, higher, further and informal educational settings around the world. The internationally sourced chapters offer research findings as well as insights into debates provoked by bringing children’s voices into moral and political arenas and to philosophy (...) and the broader educational issues this raises, for example: historical perspectives on the field; democratic participation and epistemic, pedagogical and political relationships; philosophy as a subject and philosophy as a practice; philosophical teaching across the curriculum; embodied enquiry, emotions and space; knowledge, truth and philosophical progress; resources and texts for philosophical inquiry; ethos and values of P4C practice and research. The Routledge International Handbook of Philosophy for Children will spark new discussions and identify emerging questions and themes in this diverse and controversial field. It is an accessible, engaging and provocative read for all students, researchers, academics and educators who have an interest in Philosophy for Children, its educational philosophy and its pedagogy. (shrink)

In close collaboration with the late Matthew Lipman, Ann Margaret Sharp pioneered the theory and practice of ‘the community of philosophical inquiry’ (CPI) as a way of practicing ‘Philosophy for Children’ and prepared thousands of philosophers and teachers throughout the world in this practice. In Community of Inquiry with Ann Margaret Sharp represents a long-awaited and much-needed anthology of Sharp’s insightful and influential scholarship, bringing her enduring legacy to new generations of academics, postgraduate students and researchers in the fields of (...) education, philosophy, philosophy of education, Philosophy for Children and philosophy of childhood. -/- Sharp developed a unique perspective on the interdependence of education, philosophy, personhood and community that remains influential in many parts of the world. This perspective was shaped not only by Sharp’s work in philosophy and education, but also by her avid studies in literature, feminism, aesthetic theory and ecumenical spirituality. Containing valuable contributions from senior figures in the fields in which Sharp produced her most focused scholarship, the chapters in this book present a critical overview of how Sharp’s ideas relate to education, philosophy of education, and the Philosophy for Children movement as a whole. -/- The historical and philosophical nature of this collection means that it will be a vital resource for philosophers and educators. It should also be of great interest to teacher educators and those involved in the study of pragmatism and feminism, as well as the history of education across the globe, particularly in the United States of America. (shrink)

This paper reports the findings of a predominantly qualitative study that explored the effects of the practice of Philosophy for Children on pupils’ affective engagement.[1] From its conception, the practice of P4C has been linked to the development of caring and collaborative thinking and the study aimed to closely consider that relationship. An appropriate self-designed P4C program was implemented with 75 Year 9 pupils of Religious Education at an independent secondary school in the United Kingdom. An interpretive research approach was (...) taken and thematic analysis was appropriated to analyse the data. Findings supported the claims of previous research that P4C can foster affective engagement in many pupils, particularly those pupils who find emotional expression and interpersonal interactions challenging. A tentative conclusion reached supposes that P4C has the potential to contribute to the affective engagement of pupils, but with the recommendation that implementing a P4C program must be executed carefully and with the mindfulness that it may not have the same potential or usefulness for all pupils universally. (shrink)

Philosophy serves to determine and clarifying the meaning of experience, and to make experience more meaningful, in both of the senses that Dewey distinguished: to broaden the range and amplify the value of qualities we experience, and to multiply their relevant ties to other experiences. Children’s experience is replete with philosophical meaning, and in facilitating children’s search for meaning, we are obliged to lead them in the directions that we ourselves have found most fruitful, though we should avoid the “adultist (...) fallacy,” of thinking that meanings experienced in childhood are merely instrumental to more mature meanings of adulthood, and the “fallacy of omniscience,” assuming that the meaning of children’s experience is completely accessible by adults. All of this applies to the realm of religious experience, which may be organized into four categories: socio-cultural, analytic, ethical and phenomenological.Learning a process of philosophical inquiry that is rigorous, public and open-ended might enable children to both inhabit their religious and spiritual experiences more fully, and to take some critical distance from them, in order to become more open to the kinds of religious experiences they deem most meaningful. (shrink)

This Socratic dialogue pitched at introductory philosophy students examines the question of God's existence from atheist and agnostic perspectives.

Is it reasonable to believe in a God of love in the face of life's many evils? In this essay I consider how the biblical book of Job raises and responds to this question.