Original scientific paper

Philosophy for Children and Philosophy as Therapy

Marjan Šimenc ; Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

The article is based on the criticism of philosophy for children (PFC) being considered as part of the culture of therapy. This criticism claims that PFC treats children as “fragile and vulnerable” and that the PFC programme, which primarily aims at enhancing social and emotional skills, in fact contributes to the dependency and frailty of children. The article comes to the defence of PFC by presenting arguments against this reproach and goes on to analyse the concept that is in the heart of this criticism, i.e. the relationship between philosophy and therapy. In this context, a reference is made to Wittgenstein’s concept of philosophy as therapy which proves to be instrumental in reflecting on the relationship between academic philosophy and philosophical practices as well as in considering the fundamental goals of philosophy for children.

Keywords

philosophy for children; culture of therapy; philosophy as therapy; Ludwig Wittgenstein

Hrčak ID:

135795

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/135795

Publication date:

25.2.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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