Philosophy
in PembridgeHall School
By Year Six Students
WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?
Collated by Lilac, Sofia, Katy and Gina
OUR IDEAS
What we enjoy about Philosophy
Collated by Isabella, Lauren, Defne and Lucia.
What we enjoy…
• We can see different views of questions and topics.
• There is no wrong or right answer.• Everyone gets a chance to speak, at least once.• We enjoy discussing interesting subjects like
Greek Myths.• It gives me self esteem - everyone’s opinion is
important.• We like how every answer is original and can link
onto another way of viewing the topic.
More things we enjoy…
• We love that we are given such hard dilemmas, but then we realise that they’re less complicated. Other people’s ideas help us create new ideas.
• We sometimes learn about ancient philosophers and the way they thought hundreds of years ago. Even now these ideas are interesting to discuss.
• Mr Day tells us intriguing stories/poems.
• Philosophy helps us think of many little, but still significant points and views.
Things That Are Not So Great
Collated by Rosa and Celeste
How has
philosophy
benefited us?
• Philosophy helps us to understand, listen to
and evaluate other people’s thoughts.
• Philosophy broadens our understanding of topics and teaches us to think more deeply.
• It helps us with sharing our opinions because we have to share opinions in Philosophy in order for the discussion to build.
• It helps us to be more open-minded because the questions have more than one answer.
It makes me look at things
from a different perspective because other people’s points get me thinking about whether I agree or disagree with them and sometimes they can convince me to agree with them. Listening to other
people can sometimes teach
me to change my perspective.
Confidence
• I am more confident about expressing my
opinion even though it may be different to
the opinions of others in the group.
• Philosophy lessons have helped me with
interviews because it made me feel like I
did not have to give this one, specific
answer, I just had to give an interesting
opinion that made sense.
Patience
• It has helped me be more patient, since
often I do not get to share my opinion
when I want to but must wait until I am
given the opportunity to speak.
• However, I am always allowed to give an
opinion about something, even if it is long
after the discussion has moved on from
that point.
Listening:I have become a better listener….
• It helps our listening because in Philosophy
sessions we must listen to other people’s
points and ideas and often we have to link
them to our own points and the points and
ideas of others.
• I can concentrate for quite a long while
during a discussion, even if I do not get the
chance to share my views.
I have become a better listener……
• I am better at spotting connections and
contradictions in the views shared.
• It is fun seeing how the ideas build on
each other and lead to a whole new idea.
Respect
• We are more respectful of the
opinions of others – it is not about
having a ‘cool’ idea or a very
‘intelligent’ view – it is more
important to have a thoughtful
idea that will lead to more ideas.
Speaking:
• I am much better at organising my
thoughts and sorting them into
separate points.
• It has given me the confidence to take
the time to think and not feel under
pressure to speak to break the silence.
Comprehension• I am comfortable with the idea that there may
not be one right answer and I strive for an
answer where I can give points or evidence
to support my views.
• I have a store of language structures that
help me write clearer answers. (e.g. ‘contrary
to..., while it is true to say.., building on ...,
following on from.., counter argument)
A Sample of questions discussed in the Philosophy sessions:
• The Clock Work World is very
organised and predictable and the
Wind Swept World is full of
uncertainty and chance.
Which world is more like our world?
Which world would you
prefer to live in?
Runaway Train question:
There is a train track which
branches into two tracks.
10 people on one track, 2 people on the
other. It is going to run over either the 2
people or the group of 10.
If you have control over which track the
runaway train can take which one would
you choose?
What if the 10 are children/old people/
‘important’ people/people who were
unloved/dearly loved...?
Story of Odysseus:
Who is more free:
(a) Odysseus who was bound to the mast
by his own orders
(b) the crew members who were
following Odysseus’ orders and
deafened with the ear wax
(c) the sailor who took the earwax out of
his ears, jumped overboard and swam
to the sirens?
• Are we more like machines or animals?
Finally, a quote from Ella...
‘I love that you are given such
hard dilemmas, but then you
realise it is actually less
complicated when you hear
other people’s ideas and I feel
my brain physically
stretching!’