Should Classes in Philosophy be taught instead of History

[mechanixis]

I think history is still a relevant thing to learn, regardless of what Infinity Ward has to say on the matter; 'history written by victors = all history is bullshit" is a pretty extreme overreaction. However, I also think that Philosophy should be mandatory starting from a very young age, and it should definitely replace any classes on religion a child can take before the age of at least eighteen.

 

[MagicMouse]

If anything philosophy should replace Literature classes, they are very similar.

History should never be forgotten.

 

[Charli]

Why should either be neglected? Do both!

 

[oooooooooooooooooooooooooo]

We already have separate history and philosophy classes at my school, though only grade 12 can do philosophy, and even then for only one term (3 months).

 

[Sonicron]

I'd make a philosophy class optional, but history must, must always be mandatory and takes precedence over philosophical content. Besides, the hugely overwhelming majority of high school kids couldn't even begin to grasp more than the most basic concepts of philosophy.

 

[Cazza]

History is an important class. If anything I would combine the class with it. I feel the content in history is more important then say the content of media or wood work etc.

 

['Aredor]

Of course there's always the possibility that those teaching and writing the school books bring their own interpretation in the mix. But the same applies for every other subject, case in point: Texan biology books don't teach evolution any more. Does that mean something else should be taught instead of Biology? Of course not.

That being said, Philosophy is a very good subject and I'm glad we have it as an optional lesson over here, as well as within our Ethics lessons (which are also optional, as a replacement for Religion)

 

[Kiju]

If anything, table-manners and proper etiquette should be taught in school. :\

 

[JourneyThroughHell]

While I find history largely useless as an all-around necessary class because it's subjective as hell... of course, it shouldn't.

Philosophy's not particularly useful - it's not logic, not particularly objective - it's not "history of philosophy", and most of it is just pure speculation that is impossible to base off of any evidence.

And another thing - it can only teach rationality and logic as much as your prof wants you to know them. A purely subjective, largely unnecessary and frankly boring for future physicians and matematicians.

Also, imagine an exam on philosophy? That doesn't work. At all.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Here's a crazy idea. How about we focus on the Seven Classical Liberal Arts, teach critical thinking and meaningful discourse, and turn out better citizens rather than just teaching mindless automatons to regurgitate information to pass standardized tests?

Oh. Right. Because obedient little consumers and slaves are the real goal of American education---the ruling class needs the masses to be docile and stupid so they can line their own pockets without arising too much suspicion.

And the commoners are just as well to go along with it, because "my kid is an honor student, yay!" The parents are even dumber than the kids. Someone needs to get R. Lee Ermey into maternity wards to yell at new mothers "YOUR CHILD IS NOT SPECIAL! SHE IS JUST A LITTLE MAGGOT WHO WILL AMOUNT TO NOTHING UNTIL AND UNLESS SHE PROVES OTHERWISE!"

Then stick that demotivational poster that says "Not everyone gets to be an astronaut" with the picture of the order of fries on the wall of the kindergarten, bring back gifted and talented programs for the best students and fund the fuck out of them, at the expense of "special needs" classes for retards if you have to (how much money do you really need to spend on someone whose ceiling is McJanitor? We've got unmotivated smart kids in astounding quantity), and teach those kids to question any authority that would assert its mastery over them. Unless they're cute girls who go for dominant guys---gotta protect my brothers

Anyway, my point is this---if a kid's too dumb to grasp philosophy and history, get him into trade school and teach him how to do good, honest, hard work that he will find rewarding (this is Mike Rowe's cause celèbre in his MikeRoweWORKS program). And don't stigmatize the guy who fixes your car.

And the intellectual kids? The ones who will go on to colleges with higher admissions and graduation standards now that the "mommy and daddy said I need to get a degree" smacktards have been weeded out of the cultural zeitgeist as a side effect of this reorganization? Let them create and reward them well, whether they are in business, arts, or sciences.

Amen brother! Though easy on the 'special needs' things, I have an underdeveloped niece who wouldn't do good in trade school either, I wouldn't want to see her left out while she can be a productive member of society.

But the rest is very much true. Most educational systems in Western countries are based on the needs of an industrialised nation. Thing is, we're already past that point, our society has different needs now than it had a century ago.

And I especially agree on the stigmatization. Why the hell is someone who plants your crops or fixes your car lower in the hierarchy than people in 3 piece suits managing insurance companies? It's absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Smooth Operator]

I would combine both, for the benefit of understanding why things have gone down as they did.

But there are still alot of problems with narrow-minded teachers, I have sat through hours and ours of philosophy lessons where we would do nothing more then read paragraphs and quotes of great philosophers, basically being thought the "right" way to think, but the main point of philosophy is to open the approach to various ideas.
Many times it comes down to the teacher, especially older people seem to be concreted in their own mindset and are unwilling to accept new principles or ideas.

 

[Alandoril]

Well if you believe politicians/the media in Britain then you're worthless unless you work in the sciences, medicine, mathematical disciplines (engineering and so on) or...finance (lol).

 

[linwolf]

No, history is imported. Philosophy is not really useful.

 

[Funkysandwich]

What? We can't have both? You can study both Philosophy and History at uni.

 

[Chiasm]

at the expense of "special needs" classes for retards if you have to (how much money do you really need to spend on someone whose ceiling is McJanitor?

Are you really suggesting that kids with disabilities should not have the right to school?

 

[SimuLord]

at the expense of "special needs" classes for retards if you have to (how much money do you really need to spend on someone whose ceiling is McJanitor?

Are you really suggesting that kids with disabilities should not have the right to school?

I'm suggesting that if you're forced to make budget cuts in this economy, and your choices are to cut a gifted/talented program vs. a disabled students program, you spend your scarce resources where they will do the most good. In a perfect world we get both, but this is not a perfect world.

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

Philosophy should be taught alongside, not instead of, history. Both are very important subjects when it comes to learning about how the world works. Replacing one with the other is just wrong.

Edit: Come to think of it the fact that Philosophy isn't a required course in high school (at least not in mine) or anything lower is a real shame. If kids were exposed to different philosophies at an earlier age then I'd imagine that a lot of people wouldn't be so intolerant of others and the world would be a better place.

I know this sounds pretty ignorant of me for believing that something so simple would make such a big difference, but I seriously think it would. Teaching everyone how to think critically from a young age, as well as exposing them to many different ways of viewing the world, would probably solve a lot of social problems that are linked to hate, intolerance, and bigotry.

 

[McNinja]

HELL.

NO.

There is a reason people haven't done this before: they are all important. Teaching history reduces ignorance and shows us our past mistakes.

Furthermore, philosophy instead? No. Why? Because out of all the majors possible in a college, philosophy would be my last choice. I don't really care for it, and neither do all the other people who don't take the class.

Also, Philosophy is about as useful in life as being stabbed. You want philosophy? Go read some Confucius. I hear he has some good stuff.