APA Committee on
Pre-College Instruction in Philosophy

Committee Report
1998

The following appeared in Volume 72, Number 5 (May, 1999) of The Proceedings and Addresses of the American Philosophical Association

Betsy Decyk, Chair

For the seventh consecutive year the APA Committee on Pre-College Instruction in Philosophy has offered sessions at all three APA Division meetings. Two of the three sessions were organized jointly with another APA Committee or philosophy group. At the 1997 Eastern Division Meeting, the APA Committee on Pre-College Instruction in Philosophy and the APA Teaching Committee presented "Framing the Questions: Engaging Students in Producing Philosophical Videos" with Hugh Taft-Morales and Ken Knisely. At the 1998 Pacific Division Meeting, the APA Committee on Pre-College Instruction and the American Association of Philosophy Teachers offered "Philosophy Through Children’s Literature" with Laurie Shrage. At the 1998 Central Division Meeting, Charles Seibert, Arnold Zweig and Juliette Christie provided insights into the childhood and early philosophical formation of Pierce, Kant and DeBeauvoir respectively.

Students and teachers engaged in philosophy at pre-College levels are often isolated in ways that people taking or teaching philosophy in colleges and universities are not. During the year, for instance, the Committee has had inquiries from high school students who have taken a philosophy course - usually an enrichment course somewhere other than at their own high school - have become interested in philosophy, and now seek further philosophical discussions with other high school students. The Committee has also had inquiries from pre-college instructors for information regarding resource materials and for information about others teaching at a similar level. One suggestion is that the Committee help create a national network for high school students and a second network for pre-college philosophy instructors. Another suggestion is to create a newsletter on children and philosophy, with participation by children who are doing philosophy in schools. In the coming year the Committee will consider ways it can best promote pre-college philosophical interactions.

The Committee also plans to hold sessions at all the APA Division meetings in the coming year. The APA Eastern Division session is set. A topic which has been suggested for at least one of the two other APA Divisional meetings is teaching moral philosophy to children.

APA Committee on Pre-College Instruction in Philosophy

Committee Report 1998

APA Committee on
Pre-College Instruction in Philosophy

Committee Report
1998