The present and future of doing Philosophy with Children: Practical philosophy and addressing children and young people’s status in a complex world.

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12957/childphilo.2023.71920

Keywords:

agency, children’s status, dialogue, future, Philosophy with Children

Abstract

This article considers children’s status in society and how this may be elevated with a view to imagining a possible future. Children’s status is such that the structures and systems under which they live diminish their agency. In so doing, their opportunity to contribute to the shaping of what appears to be an uncertain future is limited. The article proposes that looking towards children as saviours of our tomorrows is misguided and that a healthier view is to recognise the networked nature of children, which recognises children’s humanity and sees them as connected to the world in which and of which they are a part. By accepting the networked nature of children, adults may come to think and behave differently towards children, beginning to see themselves and children as ‘one among many’. This perspective allows for compassion, a notion that supports our living together. This article proposes that Philosophy with Children may offer an approach to engaging in community and dialogue that allows us to think our way to a future that is epistemically inclusive. Ultimately, engaging with children as potential knowers demands that we are more overtly political in the ways in which we engage with Philosophy with Children.

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Author Biography

claire cassidy, School of Education, University of Strathclyde

Claire Cassidy is a full professor in the School of Education at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. She leads the Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy with Children and the EdD(PwC). She also convenes the Philosophy with Children and Communities Network.

References

This article considers children’s status in society and how this may be elevated with a view to imagining a possible future. Children’s status is such that the structures and systems under which they live diminish their agency. In so doing, their opportunity to contribute to the shaping of what appears to be an uncertain future is limited. The article proposes that looking towards children as saviours of our tomorrows is misguided and that a healthier view is to recognise the networked nature of children, which recognises children’s humanity and sees them as connected to the world in which and of which they are a part. By accepting the networked nature of children, adults may come to think and behave differently towards children, beginning to see themselves and children as ‘one among many’. This perspective allows for compassion, a notion that supports our living together. This article proposes that Philosophy with Children may offer an approach to engaging in community and dialogue that allows us to think our way to a future that is epistemically inclusive. Ultimately, engaging with children as potential knowers demands that we are more overtly political in the ways in which we engage with Philosophy with Children.

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Published

2023-02-27

How to Cite

cassidy, claire. (2023). The present and future of doing Philosophy with Children: Practical philosophy and addressing children and young people’s status in a complex world. Childhood & Philosophy, 19, 01–18. https://doi.org/10.12957/childphilo.2023.71920

Issue

Section

dossier: the present and the future of doing philosophy with children