To think that children of 14 are too young to be studying philosophy?

[roastlamb]

A friend of mine recently moved to Italy with her two girls, aged 14 and 12.

The 14 is in her first year of "liceo" and she is studying philosophy. I understand that this is part of the curriculum in Italy. However, 14 is far too young to understand the concepts being taught.

I had a hard time with philosophy in my early 20s, I couldn't imagine studying it as a teenager.

[pedilia]

In some ways it may be easier for teenagers to get to grips with as they are less moulded than adults, I certainly don't think it is to young to study it.

I wish I hadben able to study philosophy before I got to uni.

[beaniesteve]

I doubt it's taught at the same level that you were learning it though. It would be totally different at GCSE level. I would have killed to have done philosophy when I was 14!

[Monkeybird]

You are mad: 14 is the perfect age to study philosophy.

[RUMPEL]

Yes you are - all that teenage angst and searching for life's meaning - a great time to learn about philosophy. I was living in my own flat at 15 - we all mature at different ages. Just think of the advanatges it will give her to reflect on life and meaning.

[warthog]

yabu

[morningpaper]

philosophy is largely about logic and arguments - essential skills for doing GCSEs and everything else in life! Sounds like a great idea to me.

[mybestfriendiscalledstig]

My mum taught 'philosophy' to 5 yo - dealing with principles of thinking & reasononing. She said they loved it.
Exactly what concepts is she being taught that you think are too old for her?

[SueBaroo]

Agree with Monkeybird, just the right age to be thinking about the deep stuff.

Might improve the reading quality of myspace no end. Oh, the emo...

[WideWebWitch]

I think it's great, they do it at ds's school from age 12 ish

[seeker]

I have all sorts of conversations with my 12 year old which are very similar to some of the philosophy I studied in my first year at university. All about morals and ethics and relativism and individualism/collectivism and life and death - all sorts of stuff. Actually I have similar conversations with my 7 year old. Children have a huge - often untapped - ability to think deep thoughts - don't underrate them!

[roastlamb]

beanie, I can't read Italian, but they have a Very Thick Book. It doesn't look very simple to me.

Her French coursework is much more advanced than in the UK. I couldn't believe it when I looked at her book.

[MoreSpamThanGlam]

I would be overjoyed if my 13 yr old was studying philosophy.

Why is it wrong please?

[dinny]

it is a fantastic they have the opportunity to study philisophy, every child should. my dd (5) and I, as others have mentioned, discuss many basic philosophical ideas, it is perfectly natural and desirable for children to ask questions about their existence.

philisophy should be taught in all schools from as early as possible, IMO - children should be encouraged to think critically across all subjects.

[morningpaper]

I can't read Italian, but they have a Very Thick Book. It doesn't look very simple to me.

lol but that's probably the ITALIAN, rather the philosophy

[marina]

I think it should be compulsory from age 11 myself
Sophie's World is a great introduction to philosophy for teenagers

[roastlamb]

hhhmmmmm, you have all given me some insightful answers.

I couldn't stand philosophy and tbh I had a really tough time with some of the stuff we had to learn. I was so surprised when my friend's dd told me she was studying philosophy.

[tomps]

yabvu - I've read not so long ago of a scheme of introducing philosophy to primary school children, aged 6+ and it goes down very well. In lots of ways children are natural philosophers so it's great to encourage their curious, questionning spirit. I also struggled a bit at uni when introduced to Great Philosophers and their ideas, but actually the encouraging people to think bit of it is great at any age.

[nickytwotimes]

Remember, the unexamined life is not worth living.
(can't remember who said that - ine of those Greek fellows, lol!)

[barnstaple]

I think it's brilliant; wish our lot could do it, too. Education over here is such a waste.

[tissy]

Marina has said exactly what I was going to say

[Quattrocento]

Best time to study it IMO

and IME as well

[dinny]

Nicky - Socrates

[CoteDAzur]

YABU. There are different levels of complexity for different ages.

Just like the mathematics you study age 8 as opposed to the mathematics you study at university. What you studied before age 10 gave you the basis for what came later.