Should be taught in schools!
Ok, like I know that the National Curriculum is full to bursting already....but I have to wonder about that subject which, incidentally was voted for on a recent BBC Radio 4 poll, should be at the heart of all studies that any human being undertakes: philosophy.
My fourteen year olds did not even know what it was. Not one(pardon the pun) idea. Yes they knew the word...but what does it mean?
Im not advocating a serious perousal of the discipline. More like at KS3 and KS4 some introduction to the disciplines that amke up 'philosophy' i.e An introduction to the problems of Epistemology . An introduction, and the links to religion and science, in Ethics. Just tasters which introduce some content and most importantly the skills, clarity of expression and thought that philosophy expects.
But this is all pie in the sky. The public that lament it not being on the curriculum, as seen in that poll for example, and my own desire to see the subject at least being available in schools...well we are whistling in the wind; for the moment.
So I continue with my surrupticious use of the word and subject in tutorial times hoping that a pupil says....Sir, this philosophy that you keep talking about...............