Learning to Operate with Philosophical Concepts

Abstract

Introduction:  "Philosophy for Children" has preponderantly started from the assumption that there is no fundamental difference between the thinking of adults and the thinking of children: both make use of the same mental operations.  Moreover, children seem to be interested in the same basic questions about life and its meaning as adults.  So children and adults apparently perform the same activities when they join in philosophical discussions.  It is also easily assumed that children are particularly apt to philosophical thinking, because they are inquisitive, unconventional and - contrary to traditional educational opinion - rational, often even more so than adults.