JGill is right, critical thinking is not tied to philosophy. I used critical thinking most extensively as an undergrad, in studying archeology and anthropology. But whereas other subjects make use of critical thinking, philosophy, perhaps exclusively (but psychology?), makes critical thinking it's topic. If you are thinking about how best to think, you are no longer doing maths or environmental studies, but something else.Not so sure philosopher and critical thinker are one and the same. — jgill
This, because I've sometimes regretted not having studied Greek and Latin.
But philosophy did not stop at Aristotle, or even Aquinas. They are interesting, even fun, but not necessary. — Banno
But teaching this stuff formally, as part of the curriculum, is unnecessary and probably counterproductive. Only some folk will have the stomach for it. The rest will reject it. — Banno
How should this be understood - "Is there someone such that without them there would be no philosophy in any possible world?" Well, no, there isn't. Philosophy is only incidentally about individuals.Do you think there are philosophers who are more necessary than Plato and Aristotle? — Leontiskos
Am I right in thinking of you, Ben, as an Englishman? — Banno
Here's some data that might be reassuring. More folk are better educated than ever before.
Critical thinking is more of a middle-class concern, perhaps, on the global scale. — Banno
So perhaps philosophy is a prophylaxis against propaganda; it's just that we will never be able to agree on what "philosophy" should mean. — Leontiskos
Lots of propaganda masquerades as "critical thinking" where the sole purpose of the "thinking" is to cast suspicion or doubt on the facts, e.g. to undermine the possibility to criticize false or nonsensical claims etc. — jkop
Is anyone on earth an expert on global education? Who would even know 1% of what takes place in the realm of education on the planet? — Tom Storm
My daughter's generation (she is 27) were very much given a discussion/debate/discourse model of education. But as I hinted above, different countries do different things.
What we probably need to do is cite specific educational approaches as implemented and then subject them to some evidence based scrutiny rather than just present untheorized opinions on 'education'. — Tom Storm
Perhaps that us the crux if the issue itself. — Benj96
This is somewhat a strawman commentary on a point I never actually made. — Benj96
Pray tell, what is your opinion on the state of global education. — Benj96
But in my nation as with my neighbouring one, the concensus is that rote learning is alive and well in many "big players" of the west. — Benj96
Some countries where rote learning has historically been more prevalent include:
China: Traditional Chinese education has often emphasized rote memorization, especially in subjects like mathematics and language.
India: Rote learning has been a significant part of the education system in India, particularly in subjects like mathematics and science.
Japan: Japanese education has traditionally valued memorization and repetition, although recent reforms have aimed to encourage more critical thinking and creativity.
South Korea: Rote learning has been a common method in South Korean education, particularly for preparing for standardized tests.
Singapore: Singapore's education system has historically placed a strong emphasis on rote learning, although there have been efforts in recent years to promote more holistic learning approaches.
Some Middle Eastern countries: In some Middle Eastern countries, rote learning has been prevalent, particularly in religious education and language studies.
That's true. IMO, teaching critical thinking is the priority. It could be taught in a more general philosophy class, but it wouldn't need to be.Not so sure philosopher and critical thinker are one and the same. — jgill
So let's take it as an example.Singapore: Singapore's education system has historically placed a strong emphasis on rote learning, although there have been efforts in recent years to promote more holistic learning approaches.
Aust and US are more similar that I would have guessed. — Tom Storm
Pray tell, what is your opinion on the state of global education. — Benj96
Facts are great. Sure. But they're easily dispensed with little incentive to understand from where or why they arise — Benj96
Which is why I support philosophy as a fundamental pillar of education. And yet many nations or education systems do not offer philosophy as a primary or secondary level module. If it were up to me it would be mandatory and fostered from an early age. — Benj96
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