Inquiry Project Idea

Philosophy for Children is an educational approach first developed in the 1970s by Matthew Lipman at Montclair State University “to help children learn how to think for themselves” (Lipman et al, 1980, p. 53). The main aims of Philosophy for Children are: improving reasoning skills, developing creativity, providing personal and interpersonal growth, developing ethical understanding, and developing the ability to find meaning (Lipman et al, 1980). The method of P4C is philosophical community of inquiry “characterized by dialogue that is fashioned collaboratively out of the reasoned contribution of all participants” (Sharp, 1991, p. 337).

Philosophy for children was adapted to different schools’ subjects. I am interested to do some inquiry to see how this program is adapted to math and how I can conduct a philosophical/mathematical dialogue among my students to improve their reasoning skills.