Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2010 - (Page 30)

istock How to Start a Philosophy Club by Wendy Way As the students settle into the circle of chairs in my classroom, I write today’s question on the board: Which is more powerful, love or hate? “Love. No doubt about it,” says Colin. “Why do you think so?” asks Annie. “Because love can overcome hate, but hate does not overcome love,” he replies. Rosette interjects, “Before we discuss love and hate, shouldn’t we de ne what we mean by powerful?” And so today’s philosophy club discussion begins. The questions we discuss after school in our club are the same ones that have been pondered ever since Socrates himself stood in the Agora of Athens and challenged people to defend their beliefs about love, truth, religion, and politics. Across the country, more and more high schools are starting philosophy clubs, giving the students the opportunity to meet for a few hours after school to discuss philosophy’s big questions. The really cool thing about philosophical questions is that there is no right or wrong answer. What is truth? Do we exist? Do we have free will? What is most fun about philosophy is the discussion created by questions like these. Philosophy allows you to engage your curiosity and think more deeply about questions that may at first seem to have obvious answers. Once you start discussing a question with others, you slowly peel back the layers of your thoughts about the topic and eventually formulate a position. By learning how to make skillful judgments about any information presented to you, you will start to actively process it rather than passively accept it. And then you are really thinking—critically! 30 imagine Mar/Apr 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2010

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2010
Contents
Editor’s Note
Big Questions
In My Own Words
Why Study Philosophy?
The Great Conversation
Robots, Zombies, and Descartes
The Wide World of Philosophy
The Philosopher’s Toolbox
Bad Dreams, Evil Demons, and The Experience Machine
Harry Potter and Plato
Exploring Ethics (or, Why I Give Up Saturdays in Spring)
How to Start a Philosophy Club
Selected Opportunities & Resources
Middle Ground
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Creative Minds Imagine
Sudoku
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2010