Proceedings of the XXIII World Congress of Philosophy

Volume 43, 2018

Philosophy for Children

The Importance of Listening to Philosophy that Comes from Children

Presupposing that children are able to philosophize within the frame of P4C approaches, this paper argues in favor of adults’ paying philosophical attention into children’s ways of thinking. It is argued that not only adults but also children can offer stimuli for philosophizing. Children’s ways of thinking should be explored philosophically not only in the way that adults would do by linking children’s ideas with existing philosophical matters, but also in the ways that children might indicate. Such approach could not only create new philosophical considerations that adults have not yet thought about but also lead at viewing afresh philosophy. An example of children’s philosophy during their play exemplifies further the importance of adults’ listening to them thinking critically and creatively.