30 Ways to Bring Philosophy into Every Classroom by Dr Jerry Chris

The simple activities described in this book give classroom teachers a potent antidote for today’s lethargic students who 1) no longer practice clarity of thought, but rather emulate the emotional drivel of 'celebrities', 2) no longer seek multiple solutions and weigh the consequences of each, but rather seek easy answers, 3) no longer see ethics as a foundation in decision-making, but rather rely on “act now and see what happens” non-thinking.

Philosophy education holds the answers to “values education.” It teaches students to think critically, write logically and consider once again the virtues of the world’s greatest thinkers.

30 Ways To Bring Philosophy Into Every Classroom is divided into two sections. The first contains the 30 ways to bring philosophy into the curriculum by philosophical theme, and includes the Socratic Seminar—a key methodology for any class and a useful tool for any school. Themes include:

• Truth-Theory of Knowledge
• Nature of Mankind
• Logic
• Beauty
• Philosophy of Life

The second section is comprised of two appendices. Appendix A is a short reference to the basic fallacies of correct reasoning. This is needed for some of the activities involving logic. Appendix B is a one or two page summary of the thinking of each of the 39 philosophers. (This appendix is truly a marvelous, basic reference for teachers!)

The book includes a one-page summary of classical Western and Eastern philosophies.

The philosophers studied are:
Aquinas, Aristotle, Augustine, Bacon, Bergson, Berkeley, Confucius, Croce, Descartes, Dewey, Epictitus, Epicurus, Han Fei Tzu, Hegel, Hobbes, Hsun Tzu, Hume, James, Jaspers, Kant, Kierkegaard, Locke, Machiavelli, Marx, Mencius, Mill, Montaigne, Montesquieu, Nietzsche, Plato, Reid, Ross, Rosseau, Santayana, Sartre, Schopenhauer, Spencer, Spinoza, Tzu, Lau and Chung, Tzu, Mo.

Every now and again there is a MUST HAVE BOOK for all grade 7 and up teachers and administrators to have and read and hold as a foundation support. 30 Ways To Bring Philosophy Into Every Classroom is such a book.

“As our students are fully embarked on the information-superhighway, we must never allow them to forget the difference between knowledge and wisdom.

...as educators seek bridges within an increasingly diverse society, the international language of philosophy seems ever more significant.

...amid the innovations of student teaching programs and the rhythmic swings of the pendulum, only one universal methodololgy remains intact which crosses all disciplines-philosophical inquiry.”

Jerry Chris is an NBC Crystal Apple winner and has been chosen both Orange County Creative Teacher of the year and California Teacher of the year for gifted students.