Supporting students in their search for meaning and enabling them to reflect thoughtfully and critically on life's big questions.
At Temple Carrig Secondary School we are excited to be at the forefront of education in Ireland with the introduction of Philosophy in secondary schools, addressing the importance placed by many educational experts, universities and employers on thinking skills, critical thought, problem-solving and creativity.
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http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/philosophy-in-our-schools-a-necessity-not-a-luxury-1.1970408
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http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/philosophy-in-our-schools-a-necessity-not-a-luxury-1.1970408
TCG students celebrating World Philosophy Day 2017 with President Higgins
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2nd year philosophers present the President with their TCG yearbook
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How would you describe your class? TCG 1st years offer their thoughts....
Rita
"Philosophy is of existence, knowledge, thoughts,the mind and much more. It is mostly questions with no definite answer. We sit in a circle and discuss these questions, and use the Internet to explore ideas. I like that we are free to express our opinions, and be heard, and that we aren't steered in any one direction. Other schools should try philosophy because it gives students a place to voice their opinions, which they might otherwise interrupt other classes with. It will make the students feel freer."
Daire
"Philosophy is the way of thinking in which you think independently and critically so that you can answer questions yourself and learn to do things independently.
A philosophical question is one with no definitive answer i.e. What does it mean to be alive?
So far I have been enjoying philosophy as it is one of the things I do on my spare time and it is enjoyable to expand on one of the things I do at home.
A philosophy class looks like a bunch of people arguing things that don't really matter, but doing it with passion.
And finally, you should include philosophy in your curriculum because it teaches us how to think for ourselves, not just to repeat knowledge thrown at us."
Rory
"Philosophy is the way of thinking in new ways that require you to think more independently.
I have enjoyed philosophy so far because I like to think independently."
Jane
"Philosophy is the study of existence, knowledge, nature and thinking. The meaning of the word Philosphy is ' love of knowledge '. It covers mindsets, the reason why we form these mind sets and exploring your own mindset. Philosophy goes deeper than most everyday questions, yet it covers all of your everyday life.
You have no need to be Plato or Socrates to become a philosopher. Philosphy is all about using your human knowledge to solve life's questions, something that we all have!
If the whole objective of school is preparing for you for the future than it is really beneficial to have a class like philosophy to learn to think independently which is a MAJOR factor in life.
A philosophy class is any group of people, sitting together, contemplating life's many queries. Any philosophical question is something that goes beyond hard science."
Robert
"To look deep into a difficult or simple question such as "what if a school's items,inhabitants and living things in it were moved to the other side of the country yet all that remained was the building. Where would the school be?"Philosophy class is a group of people exchanging ideas about a question trying to find their own answers that they agree with.It's not to change each other's opinions but to find new ones.Philosophy promotes group thinking and creativity."
Finn
"Philosophy is when you are looking at a question and really thinking about it you know getting really deep into it,the question could be as simple as "why should we care about nature?"or "why do we go to school?" Stuff like that. A philosophy looks like a small group of people discussing a question they could be debating over it or just agree and or disagree. A philosophical question is a question that really makes you think about it."
Killian
"Philosophy is the study of discussing and thinking about circumstances.
It is a class of discuss in a horse shoe shape.
A philosophical question is a question with thousands of answers."
Jamie
Philosophy is the questioning of things that have no true answer.
Jack
"Philosophy is the study of the questions that confuses us in everyday life. A philosophy class should look like a place that's comfy with plenty of beanbags a place where brains can be challenged. A philosophical question should be one that has many answers and can challenge many people."
Rowan
"Asking questions about anything and everything. In philosophy we wonder what is real. We sit in a circle so we can all hear each other. I think it's useful - cause it gets your mind working. Thunk! "
Daniel
"Philosophy is the study of thinking. A philosophy class looks like a circle of people and is shaped like a horse shoe. A philosophical question is something that challenges your mind."
Rita
"Philosophy is of existence, knowledge, thoughts,the mind and much more. It is mostly questions with no definite answer. We sit in a circle and discuss these questions, and use the Internet to explore ideas. I like that we are free to express our opinions, and be heard, and that we aren't steered in any one direction. Other schools should try philosophy because it gives students a place to voice their opinions, which they might otherwise interrupt other classes with. It will make the students feel freer."
Daire
"Philosophy is the way of thinking in which you think independently and critically so that you can answer questions yourself and learn to do things independently.
A philosophical question is one with no definitive answer i.e. What does it mean to be alive?
So far I have been enjoying philosophy as it is one of the things I do on my spare time and it is enjoyable to expand on one of the things I do at home.
A philosophy class looks like a bunch of people arguing things that don't really matter, but doing it with passion.
And finally, you should include philosophy in your curriculum because it teaches us how to think for ourselves, not just to repeat knowledge thrown at us."
Rory
"Philosophy is the way of thinking in new ways that require you to think more independently.
I have enjoyed philosophy so far because I like to think independently."
Jane
"Philosophy is the study of existence, knowledge, nature and thinking. The meaning of the word Philosphy is ' love of knowledge '. It covers mindsets, the reason why we form these mind sets and exploring your own mindset. Philosophy goes deeper than most everyday questions, yet it covers all of your everyday life.
You have no need to be Plato or Socrates to become a philosopher. Philosphy is all about using your human knowledge to solve life's questions, something that we all have!
If the whole objective of school is preparing for you for the future than it is really beneficial to have a class like philosophy to learn to think independently which is a MAJOR factor in life.
A philosophy class is any group of people, sitting together, contemplating life's many queries. Any philosophical question is something that goes beyond hard science."
Robert
"To look deep into a difficult or simple question such as "what if a school's items,inhabitants and living things in it were moved to the other side of the country yet all that remained was the building. Where would the school be?"Philosophy class is a group of people exchanging ideas about a question trying to find their own answers that they agree with.It's not to change each other's opinions but to find new ones.Philosophy promotes group thinking and creativity."
Finn
"Philosophy is when you are looking at a question and really thinking about it you know getting really deep into it,the question could be as simple as "why should we care about nature?"or "why do we go to school?" Stuff like that. A philosophy looks like a small group of people discussing a question they could be debating over it or just agree and or disagree. A philosophical question is a question that really makes you think about it."
Killian
"Philosophy is the study of discussing and thinking about circumstances.
It is a class of discuss in a horse shoe shape.
A philosophical question is a question with thousands of answers."
Jamie
Philosophy is the questioning of things that have no true answer.
Jack
"Philosophy is the study of the questions that confuses us in everyday life. A philosophy class should look like a place that's comfy with plenty of beanbags a place where brains can be challenged. A philosophical question should be one that has many answers and can challenge many people."
Rowan
"Asking questions about anything and everything. In philosophy we wonder what is real. We sit in a circle so we can all hear each other. I think it's useful - cause it gets your mind working. Thunk! "
Daniel
"Philosophy is the study of thinking. A philosophy class looks like a circle of people and is shaped like a horse shoe. A philosophical question is something that challenges your mind."
Some examples of class activities
"Doing" Philosophy
Philosophical tools, such as critical and systematic thinking, careful analysis, and construction of arguments, provide the means of addressing life's big questions . The course emphasis is on “doing philosophy”, that is, on engaging students in philosophical activity and encouraging them to develop into independent and critical thinkers. The benefits of Philosophy is across the curriculum. For example;
Literacy : Students today experience a constant stream of ideas and information in a media-saturated world, whether it is online, in print, through computer games or mass media. As they move into the junior cycle, they encounter an ever-widening range of texts. They need skills to determine where to direct their attention and how to interpret messages and use them appropriately and relevantly. Traditionally in reading, the emphasis has been on the author’s power, but in philosophical literacy, readers actively question the author’s message and its hidden implications.
Numeracy: Doing Philosophy helps them to explain the mathematical process to show how they found the answer. It gives them the tools to practice thinking routines. It shifts the emphasis of their work from finding the “right” answer to an exploration of how their problem-solving works.
Philosophical tools, such as critical and systematic thinking, careful analysis, and construction of arguments, provide the means of addressing life's big questions . The course emphasis is on “doing philosophy”, that is, on engaging students in philosophical activity and encouraging them to develop into independent and critical thinkers. The benefits of Philosophy is across the curriculum. For example;
Literacy : Students today experience a constant stream of ideas and information in a media-saturated world, whether it is online, in print, through computer games or mass media. As they move into the junior cycle, they encounter an ever-widening range of texts. They need skills to determine where to direct their attention and how to interpret messages and use them appropriately and relevantly. Traditionally in reading, the emphasis has been on the author’s power, but in philosophical literacy, readers actively question the author’s message and its hidden implications.
Numeracy: Doing Philosophy helps them to explain the mathematical process to show how they found the answer. It gives them the tools to practice thinking routines. It shifts the emphasis of their work from finding the “right” answer to an exploration of how their problem-solving works.
