We take a look at the skills and concepts our inaugural philosophy students will take with them into a future of rapid change.
Rachel Colreavy knew Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich would have no shortage of takers for its new Years 9 and 10 philosophy elective beginning in 2022.
The Religious Education teacher and gifted and talented coordinator has crafted a course that examines the pillars of philosophy including metaphysics, ethics, social and political philosophy, aesthetics and logic.
Ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle, join lauded thinkers from the Enlightenment period and contemporary philosophers to provide food for thought.
“As Catholics we have a great tradition of philosophy we can draw on, with some great thinkers: Church fathers such as St Augustine,” Mrs Colreavy said.
“We will cover concepts such as knowledge and the nature of thinking, reason, truth, what it means to be human, ‘what is happiness?’
“Critical thinking skills are a key component as well as how to develop an argument.”
“Students want the skills to be able to challenge, debate and figure out for themselves what the truth is” – Rachael Colreavy
Mrs Colreavy said she hopes to develop a culture where students learn strong collaboration and reasoning skills.
“I want them to be able to think deeply and to reflect deeply; to observe how their thinking shifts throughout the course and to appreciate a range of views and beliefs,” she said.
Adelaide Kennedy is one of the inaugural elective’s class members.
“I am choosing Philosophy because it helps to solve problems in real life,” she said.
“We learn how to answer unanswerable questions about life and morals, which improves our ability to answer questions with finite answers.”
“The classroom becomes a place where critical and creative thinking is fostered” – Rachael Colreavy
A TASTE OF UNIVERSITY
Four Marist Sisters’ College students will also undertake The University of Notre Dame’s (UNDA) philosophy elective, Logos 1, over one week in November.
UNDA’s Logos for Schools units in philosophy and ethics are eligible to count towards the preliminary HSC and a university degree.
“This is such an exciting opportunity for our gifted students and they are really looking forward to it,” Mrs Colreavy said.