melarete and peech: preface to an international philosophy with children collaboration

Authors

  • michael burroughs
  • luigina mortari

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12957/childphilo.2017.26774

Keywords:

ethics, virtues, education, philosophy with children

Abstract

In this paper we discuss two research programs – MELARETE (Verona, Italy) and Philosophical Ethics in Early Childhood (PEECh) (State College, Pennsylvania, USA) – and an emerging international research collaboration based on the benefits of practicing philosophy for meaning in early and middle childhood education. We argue for the good of philosophical thinking and its benefits to young students, with a particular focus on ethical development and meaning. We contend that through philosophical pedagogy we can make learning, meaning, vital to students. This is particularly relevant when dealing with questions of ethics and virtue, questions that are close to the lives of children from their earliest years. By discussing these questions and advancing philosophical ethics and virtue programs philosophers can play a central role in the development of responsible and ethical persons in the world. In order to do this, we contend, it is important that philosophy be introduced to children from a young age, in the early stages of schooling. Following a discussion of our respective research and education programs in Italy and USA, we discuss our current and ongoing plans for an international research collaboration on ethics and philosophy with children.

Author Biographies

michael burroughs

Michael D. Burroughs is Associate Director of the Rock Ethics Institute, Senior Lecturer of Philosophy, and Affiliate Faculty Member of Education at Penn State University (USA). Michael is also Vice President of the Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization. His research interests center on ethics, ethics education, community engaged philosophy, philosophy of education, and epistemology.

luigina mortari

Luigina Mortari is Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy, Education, and Psychology at the University of Verona (Italy). Luigina has been active in philosophical and ethics research as related to child education for decades. Her research interests center on ethics, ethics and virtues education, philosophy of education, phenomenology, and history of philosophy.

 

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Published

2017-01-25

How to Cite

burroughs, michael, & mortari, luigina. (2017). melarete and peech: preface to an international philosophy with children collaboration. Childhood & Philosophy, 13(26), 69–86. https://doi.org/10.12957/childphilo.2017.26774

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 26 (2017): jan./apr.

Section

articles

License

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