A taste of our curriculum

In these workshops, students consider a variety of challenging issues across the major fields of philosophy, including ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, politics and the philosophy of language. They contend with questions that don’t have clear-cut answers; only more or less convincing arguments for different conclusions. Wrestling with these sorts of questions is philosophy at its most vivid: a living, breathing practice that prompts students to refine their intuitions and worldviews. 

Please download our current list of workshop themes and key questions for students with a focus on Years 7—12. We work with younger children on request.

We are happy to create tailored programs to suit individual schools and community organisations. Please contact us for further information.

Below is an overview of our vision for student workshops at different year levels.

Workshops for students in Years 9 – 12
In our senior high school workshops, students enjoy the freedom to experiment with ideas – to propose, evaluate, reject or concede arguments as they see fit. Our original stimulus materials present complex themes in innovative ways, and generate intense and nuanced discussions. These exchanges are marked not by the urge to win a debate, but rather by the search for more rigorous arguments and deeper understanding.

We encourage students to engage each other in dialogue and practise thinking together, by clearly articulating their positions, building on each other’s ideas, and disagreeing respectfully. We support students in improving the relevance of their contributions and developing greater consistency in their viewpoints. We also work together on developing more advanced thinking skills such as testing criteria, assessing arguments, weighing up conflicting evidence and making reasoned judgements. These valuable life skills help them develop more confidence in the validity of their beliefs, while remaining free to change their minds whenever they so choose.

Just what is a reason? How do we know that some consideration constitutes a reason for believing or doing something? How do we evaluate the strength or merit of reasons? What is it for a belief or action to be justified? What is the relationship between justification and truth? Why is rationality to be valued?”
^{Harvey Siegel}

Workshops for students in Years 7 – 8
In our junior high school workshops, students consider a variety of challenging issues across the major fields of philosophy, including ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, politics and the philosophy of language. They contend with questions that don’t have clear-cut answers – only more or less convincing arguments for different conclusions. Wrestling with these sorts of questions is philosophy at its most vivid: a living, breathing practice that prompts students to refine their intuitions and worldviews. Through concept games, thought experiments, reader’s theatre and discussion, students develop increasingly sophisticated thinking skills which include: testing criteria, assessing arguments, weighing up conflicting evidence and making reasoned judgements.

A prudent question is one half of wisdom.”
^{Francis Bacon}

Workshops for students in the primary years

While we mainly work in high schools, we still occasionally work with primary students, using dynamic audio-visual materials to help them think more deeply about big questions. Students increasingly engage each other in dialogue and learn how to think together, by building on each other’s ideas and disagreeing respectfully. We help students focus on improving the relevance of their contributions and developing greater consistency in their viewpoints. We also work on advanced thinking skills such as identifying assumptions, evaluating reasons and considering counter-examples.

Next →

.