On Frogs, Princes and Yellow Elephants

Abstract

Introduction:  One day I received a philosophical novel by Ronald Reed.  Rebecca, a little girl, is reasoning about what will happen if a girl kisses a frog.  Will he turn into a prince?  I decided on discussing this problem with the children of my philosophical inquiry group (the children are now between eight and ten years old).  Since 1983 we have been meeting twice a month to do philosophy outside school.  Doing philosophy means for us asking questions and looking for answers, clarifying concepts, making distinctions between good and bad reasons for beliefs, and thinking together about ideas (sometimes very crazy ideas!).  Our rules of discussion are: to listen attentively to the child speaking, to pay attention to everybody's opinion, to prove every reason and to discuss problems together.