What is Philosophy, anyway?

The word "Philosophy" comes from the Greek words Philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom).  In other words, philosophy is the love of wisdom.  It's the practice of asking very big questions, ones that often have more than one possible answer, or no clear answers at all.  Here is a very small sampling of the types of questions asked in philosophy:

• What is real?  What exists?
• What makes a human?  Is it our minds, our bodies, or a combination of the two?
• How do we gain knowledge and understanding?  Is it with our senses, our minds, or something else?
• How can we be sure that something is true?
• What is the difference between the good life and the bad life? 
• How can we decide on the right thing to do?
• What does it mean for something to be beautiful?
• What's the difference between a good argument and a bad argument?

Why do philosophy?

Many people think the practice of asking these types of questions is a natural part of human thought.  It's being going on for as long as anyone can remember, and it seems to happen in every part of the world.  Philosophy challenges the mind in much the same way as studying music or a second language does.  It also opens our eyes to new ideas, and introduces us to moral and social issues of which we might not otherwise be aware.  Most importantly, philosophy is a way to know ourselves better, and to solve problems more effectively.

Why teach philosophy to kids?

Kids have the same things to gain from Philosophy as adults do, and in some ways, they're at an advantage.  Children, especially younger ones, are natural philosophers.  Being new to the planet, they're constantly asking "Why?" and are very open to new ideas.  The questions posed in philosophy may seem quite sophisticated, but they're still accessible to younger thinkers, if they're presented in the right way.  Philosophy can foster creativity, a love of literature, critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate ideas clearly.  Moreover, it builds confidence and encourages kids to examine their own actions, and their relationships with others.  All of this can give young thinkers an advantage in their education, and later on in their professional lives. 

Believe it or not, philosophy is also a lot of fun.