An important part of education, and indeed life in general, is to develop the ability to think for ourselves. In a world surrounded by technology and routine, easy solutions and calculated results have become the norm. The ability to stand back from a situation, to question it and challenge it is a skill many of us are losing our grip on. I am not only referring to the existential questions that have puzzled humanity for thousands of years; we don’t necessarily have to discover the meaning of life when reading a book or appreciating the beauty of a painting. What is important, however, is to think critically about the matter at hand, making our own minds up about the issue. Gathering knowledge and questioning what we already know should always go hand in hand.
From our earliest years to our last, we can benefit from philosophical questioning, increasing our ability to reason, debate and understand a different point of view. Without this skill, we are not so very different to a computer being programmed with facts and figures. It is what makes us human, and gives us the initiative to seek knowledge in the very first place. It is for these reasons which I support the emphasis on philosophy within education. Your students should have the time to delve into the minds of their fellow classmates and reflect upon the diversity of opinions in the room, let alone the diversity of opinions beyond the school gates.
Critical thinking can be used in all areas of education and holds a firm place in the study of religion in particular. Examining and reflecting upon a range of religious beliefs allows the upcoming generation to have a broader understanding of the world around them from cultural, historical and political perspectives. In the animated film “Proving God Exists” TrueTube has provided an introduction to the philosophy of religion, with teacher’s notes and an interactive activity to get your students brains ticking. In the film, a geeky scientist explores the main arguments for God’s existence, focusing on the key points, strengths and weaknesses of each one. The use of animation and humour make this film the perfect way to ease your students into what can be very complicated topics. The interactive activity offers a revision tool for your class, providing a stimulating task that the whole class can get stuck into. I have visited over seven universities and eleven schools since the beginning of this year, and often choose this resource to demonstrate. It has always received overwhelmingly positive feedback and continues to do so. Have a look at the link below and see what you think.
From our earliest years to our last, we can benefit from philosophical questioning, increasing our ability to reason, debate and understand a different point of view. Without this skill, we are not so very different to a computer being programmed with facts and figures. It is what makes us human, and gives us the initiative to seek knowledge in the very first place. It is for these reasons which I support the emphasis on philosophy within education. Your students should have the time to delve into the minds of their fellow classmates and reflect upon the diversity of opinions in the room, let alone the diversity of opinions beyond the school gates.
Critical thinking can be used in all areas of education and holds a firm place in the study of religion in particular. Examining and reflecting upon a range of religious beliefs allows the upcoming generation to have a broader understanding of the world around them from cultural, historical and political perspectives. In the animated film “Proving God Exists” TrueTube has provided an introduction to the philosophy of religion, with teacher’s notes and an interactive activity to get your students brains ticking. In the film, a geeky scientist explores the main arguments for God’s existence, focusing on the key points, strengths and weaknesses of each one. The use of animation and humour make this film the perfect way to ease your students into what can be very complicated topics. The interactive activity offers a revision tool for your class, providing a stimulating task that the whole class can get stuck into. I have visited over seven universities and eleven schools since the beginning of this year, and often choose this resource to demonstrate. It has always received overwhelmingly positive feedback and continues to do so. Have a look at the link below and see what you think.
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