Any idea on how to make the subject Philosophy more interesting to discuss?

Question

Teachers advices would be much appreciated

Answer 1

When I teach topics in philosophy, I put the philosophers into cultural and historical context. For example, I don't think one can really talk about Hegel without discussing the French Revolution, or about Arendt without discussing World War II, or Foucault without discussing the student rebellions of May 1968.

Having said that, there are also lots of practical pedagogical techniques to really engage students in discussion. A colleague of mine who teaches Ancient Greek philosophy has students act out Plato's cave allegory by sending half the class out into the hallway... I am sure you can imagine the rest.

Providing topics to analyze from different philosophical points of view can also engage students. For example, one could assign participation in a "fishbowl" as a course requirement. If you're not familiar with the technique, this is an exercise in which students are asked to take the parts of various philosophers, and are seated in a conversational circle at the front of the room. The instructor can then ask the group of philosophers to converse and to challenge one another on various topics. For example, a fishbowl composed of Heidegger, Kierkegaard, Sartre, Camus, and Foucault could be asked to give their opinions about Bonhoeffer's participation in the plot against Hitler, and his subsequent execution. Students outside of the fishbowl could also be asked to pose questions, or to challenge any philosopher's response for either accuracy of representation, or soundness of argumentation. Expressive, theatrical students can really make this sort of exercise a great success, especially when they truly adopt the persona of the person they're asked to represent. (I've had students actually decide to come to class in self-designed costumes for this.)

A colleague of mine elaborated on the fishbowl idea by holding a year-end full-blown "Symposium" in which students came in costume, reclined, ate grapes, drank juice, and took the parts of Pausanias, Aristophanes, Agathon, Alcibiades, etc. (And yes, there were songs, dancing girls, and libations were poured to the gods.) :)

Bottom line: use your imagination! I hope these hints are helpful.

Answer 2

Philosophy is all about logic and reasoning at an abstract level. This is why, on the one hand, some find it so interesting but others might be less likely to share the same enthusiasm and interest for the subject. As an ‘A’ student of one branch of philosophy (educational philosophy) I realized the importance of reading all course handouts (several times usually) and then following that up with interactive discussions with teachers and colleagues to develop and synthesize philosophical understanding/learning. As a teacher, therefore, it is extremely important to ‘sell’ the subject to your students in a practical, interesting and meaningful way by giving several examples to grab and sustain your students’ interest. My own professor’s success in teaching us students ‘Philosophy’ was also greatly helped by his great sense of humor. To cite just one example he created an initial uproar on day one in the class by posing the question ‘Can we ‘educate’ a donkey?' It was only through a lively and sustained discussion that we gradually realized the philosophical underpinnings: it was not so much the answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ that mattered; rather the crucial aspect was our deliberations and thought processes as we tried to reason out and logically convince peers by giving examples to prove (or disprove) our points. So, you might wish to give lots of examples to your students, get them to do their readings and push their thinking by challenging their arguments in a critical but non-threatening environment – and intersperse all this with a good sense of humor for added effect. Goodluck!

Answer 3

showing how it is relevant to today's lifestyles or beliefs, with examples. point out that the questions everyone asks of themselves about their own thoughts is philosphy, and give examples, seque into what so-and-so thought about it. make it more question and answer/ open for discussion to help retain rather than presenting info only...involving them by soliciting opinions before, during, and after (not just after when everyone is already ready to leave) will help. intersperse the dry bits with humor, or, as already noted, scandals. find an issue of philosophy today--helps show how philosphy is relevant and applied and humorous rather than being a dead greek guy/theology subject

Answer 4

I loved taking Philosophy in college!

We did it by going in order ... and learning how each new philosopher would refute the prior. It was cool because we were totally convinced that each guy had it right until we'd read the next one.

So ... we started with Socrates ... then Plato ...then Aristotle, trying to understand the world around them....

Answer 5

If teaching Descartes, you can always bring up The Matrix - after all, the "brain in a box" was one of the central arguments he used to discredit sensory input, and eventually end up with the old "cogito ergo sum"

Answer 6

ummmm...to me to subject of philosophy is absolutely interesting....but i would say why don't you come up with some "scandalous" philosophy that will grab there attentions after that the subject may seem more appealing.

Answer 7

If you don't find philosophy interesting, why study or discuss it?