Goal:
Distinguish between philosophical and non-philosophical forms of thought
Introduce attendees to different branches of philosophy and identify philosophical interests by discussing questions
Materials:
Printed out questions
Lesson Plan
35 min total
5 minutes: Ask participants, “What is philosophy?” Discuss responses.
What kinds of questions, areas of thought etc.
What do modern philosophers do?
Philosophy: Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Such questions are often posed as problems to be studied or resolved.
Modern philosophers study, write about, and answer philosophical questions.
5 min: grab-bag sort which of these questions are philosophical and which are not
Philosophical:
What is beauty?
What is time?
Are you the same person now that you were when you were a baby?
Do you have free will?
What is consciousness?
Are you responsible for every action you take?
What constitutes personhood?
Is it wrong to lie?
What is goodness?
Non-philosophical:
What things are beautiful?
What are you experiencing right now?
What time is it?
Do you have the same DNA that you had as a baby?
Do actions have consequences?
Do computers have human-like capacities?
Why do some people not eat meat?
20 min: discuss the interesting philosophical questions
5 min: Now that you have had a chance to learn a little, what is philosophy?