Wisdom’s Edge’s is excited to continue bringing philosophy to those at the margins of society through its new project, Philosophy for Women at Burckle Place III. Following similar successful projects, this will consist in leading the women at Burckle Place, most if not all of whom have never been exposed to philosophical discussion, through four of Plato’s dialogues. The dialogues will be the Euthyphro, the Apology, the Meno, and the Phaedo. Discussion will focus on, respectively, spirituality and the inner instinct of morality, the four philosophical virtues, what virtue is and whether it can be taught, and philosophy as a preparation for dying.
Each of the twenty women will be given journals, and their own copy of Plato’s Five Dialogues, published and generously donated by Hackett publishing. The dialogue facilitator, after giving a brief introduction with key passages and historical background, will lead the women through the discussions using the Plain Vanilla Inquiry format, the method taught at the University of Hawai'i's Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education. Following Plain Vanilla, the women will choose a question from Dr Thomas Jackson’s Good Thinker’s Toolkit. The women will then vote on their favorite two questions; the woman with the question that got the most votes will begin the discussion, which will then proceed democratically with the help of a community ball that will be made by the women during the first session. The participants will be encouraged to ask questions prompted with the help of the Good Thinker’s Toolkit, to probe deeper into the original question and text, and broaden their perspective.
Philosophy for Women at Burckle Place follows many projects successfully brought to communities by Wisdom’s Edge. Plain Vanilla Inquiry and the Good Thinker’s Toolkit are tried and true. They have been used with everyone from children to ex-offenders to nursing home residents to those taking part in Wisdom’s Edge’s many featured zoom presentations and discussions.
Wisdom’s Edge strongly believes in the importance of democratic discussion, critical thinking, and personal introspection. There are few opportunities to be introduced to these, let alone to practice them, in our society, especially among those at its margins, especially children. Philosophy, as Plato knew, is for everyone, because it addresses questions that are central to human life. Wisdom’s Edge believes that those whom society often thinks are least equipped for philosophical inquiry may actually be most equipped, ready to come to discussion with curiosity and a fresh mind.
Plain Vanilla Inquiry, Wisdom’s Edge’s chosen discussion apparatus, is designed to allow for stories and personal reflection. If any of the participants feel moved to share with the group about their past, they will be welcome to do so without fear of being ridiculed or shut down-such is the promise of Intellectual Safety. Plato’s dialogues were chosen for the sessions because their teachings are timeless, touching on virtue, raising children, contributing to society, fearing or not fearing death, self-awareness, incarceration, forgiveness, and hardship, among many other topics.
Thus, the purpose of Philosophy for Women at Burckle Place is to give the participants the opportunity to learn a new way of thinking that will sharpen skills they already possess (thus increasing their confidence in themselves), the opportunity to be exposed to some of the greatest texts of the last 2000 years, Plato’s dialogues, and the opportunity to experience an intellectually and emotionally safe space where they are able, if they choose, to reflect on their lives and the world around them.
Each of the twenty women will be given journals, and their own copy of Plato’s Five Dialogues, published and generously donated by Hackett publishing. The dialogue facilitator, after giving a brief introduction with key passages and historical background, will lead the women through the discussions using the Plain Vanilla Inquiry format, the method taught at the University of Hawai'i's Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education. Following Plain Vanilla, the women will choose a question from Dr Thomas Jackson’s Good Thinker’s Toolkit. The women will then vote on their favorite two questions; the woman with the question that got the most votes will begin the discussion, which will then proceed democratically with the help of a community ball that will be made by the women during the first session. The participants will be encouraged to ask questions prompted with the help of the Good Thinker’s Toolkit, to probe deeper into the original question and text, and broaden their perspective.
Philosophy for Women at Burckle Place follows many projects successfully brought to communities by Wisdom’s Edge. Plain Vanilla Inquiry and the Good Thinker’s Toolkit are tried and true. They have been used with everyone from children to ex-offenders to nursing home residents to those taking part in Wisdom’s Edge’s many featured zoom presentations and discussions.
Wisdom’s Edge strongly believes in the importance of democratic discussion, critical thinking, and personal introspection. There are few opportunities to be introduced to these, let alone to practice them, in our society, especially among those at its margins, especially children. Philosophy, as Plato knew, is for everyone, because it addresses questions that are central to human life. Wisdom’s Edge believes that those whom society often thinks are least equipped for philosophical inquiry may actually be most equipped, ready to come to discussion with curiosity and a fresh mind.
Plain Vanilla Inquiry, Wisdom’s Edge’s chosen discussion apparatus, is designed to allow for stories and personal reflection. If any of the participants feel moved to share with the group about their past, they will be welcome to do so without fear of being ridiculed or shut down-such is the promise of Intellectual Safety. Plato’s dialogues were chosen for the sessions because their teachings are timeless, touching on virtue, raising children, contributing to society, fearing or not fearing death, self-awareness, incarceration, forgiveness, and hardship, among many other topics.
Thus, the purpose of Philosophy for Women at Burckle Place is to give the participants the opportunity to learn a new way of thinking that will sharpen skills they already possess (thus increasing their confidence in themselves), the opportunity to be exposed to some of the greatest texts of the last 2000 years, Plato’s dialogues, and the opportunity to experience an intellectually and emotionally safe space where they are able, if they choose, to reflect on their lives and the world around them.