The focus of philosophising with children is not the imitative appropriation of the results of thinking, but rather the practice of the process of one's own thinking. Or in the words of Kant: "Learning not to think, but to think". (Kant: Nachricht von der Einreichung seiner Vorlesungen in dem Winterhalbjahre 1765-1766, A5) Despite a wide variety of approaches to what philosophising actually is, there is a consensus "that the characteristic of philosophy is to be seen in the reflection of philosophical questions and problems, as a critical attitude and activity of thinking". (Runtenberg 2016, p. 15) The aim of philosophising with children is to experience and practise this attitude and activity of thinking. The elements are central to this: Observing, marvelling, doubting and thinking.

Research focus

The research focus "Philosophising with children" looks at empirical, praxeological and educational theory aspects of philosophising with children. In terms of educational theory, the value of philosophising with children for the development of independent thinking and judgement is examined. Empirically, the focus is on (philosophical) learning processes and the effects of philosophising with children. There is also a large area of material and method development. Philosophising at extracurricular learning venues is also of great importance.

At the practical level, various programmes for philosophising with children have been established in cooperation with the Jaspers Clubs in Oldenburg and Bad Zwischenahn and following the GINT project. The practices and approaches of philosophising with children are planned, implemented, systematised and scientifically reflected upon. They thus serve to generate examples of best practice and open up a valuable space of experience for students.

Activities

• Collaboration on a preliminary core curriculum for the school subject of values and norms in primary school, including philosophising with children
• Teacher training and seminars on philosophising with children
• Co-editing the journal "Philosophy and Ethics in Primary School"
• Organisation of a symposium in November 2021 as part of KIBUM on the topic: "Philosophical questions as reflected in children's and youth literature: literary and philosophical didactic perspectives"
• Conference "The objection of things" (2015)

Participants

• Prof Dr Christa Runtenberg (Chair)
• Waltraud Bagge
• Kerstin Gregor-Gehrmann
• Sarah Huck
• Caroline Kather
• Dr h. c. Hans-Joachim Müller
• Anna Plader
• Britta Puls
• Associate Prof. Dr Reinhard Schulz

Networking

• Jaspers Club Oldenburg
• denkART philosophy workshop https://www.philosophieren-mit-kindern.de/index.htm
• Society for Philosophising with Children in Germany e.V. http://philosophierenmitkindern.de/fachgesellschaft.html

Publications

see Participants