If philosophy seems complicated to you, believe that it is more present in everyday life than you might imagine!
O National Reading Plan has a list of books that are true philosophical adventures. We have added a few more to this list. Take a look and over the next week ask some philosophical questions in the classroom or at home. You can start with these books:
Why Can’t I Do What I Want?
Another little book in the Philosophy for Children collection, written by Oscar Brenifier, to help young ones understand the issues.
Like all children, Filipe asks frequent questions. With the help of his Zof doll, he tries to find answers by questioning the world around him.
A tour in the form of a story that addresses the first big questions for little ones!
Recommended age: Over 5 years old
What to Do About a Problem?
What are the problems for? They challenge us, shape us and help us discover how strong, courageous and capable we are. Even though we never want them, problems find a way to transform us. This is a story about a problem that can’t be solved on its own and a boy who decides to face it.
Recommended age: 6 to 8 years
What Does It Mean to Live in Society?
In “What is it to live in society?”, there are six big questions to play with ideas and see beyond appearances. Are we all the same? Do you always have to agree with everyone? Would you like to live completely alone? To live in society do we always need rules and a boss? Do we all have an obligation to work? Are you obliged to always respect others? For each of these questions, several answers are presented.
Recommended age: Over 9 years old
Illustration: Frederic Benaglia
Ethics for a Young Man
Nothing less superfluous than teaching the options and values of freedom if we want to educate free human beings. But how can we talk about ethics to teenagers, without resorting to a simple chronicle of moral ideas or casuistic indoctrination on practical issues?
Designed and written to be read by teenagers, Ethics for a Young Man explains, in clear, profound and at the same time fun language, what Ethics is about and how we can apply it to our daily lives to try to live in the best possible way with ourselves and others.
Recommended age: Over 13 years old
Illustration: Frederic Benaglia
Now it’s your turn!
Tell us what you think or send us an opinion text about philosophy and how you see it in everyday life. Send us your text (up to 1000 characters with spaces) and photo to expressinho@estrelaseouricos.pt