Philosophy: A Potential Gender Blender

Abstract

Introduction:  In March of 1996, I was asked to present a paper to a group who call themselves The – Women speak Institution. The contact person explained that the group was discouraged about the possibility of people ever changing sufficiently so that the genders would be able to relate to one another in a truly productive and mutually beneficial way. Having heard of the program Philosophy for Children, she posed the following question: Is it possible that Philosophy for Children might have the answer? Is it possible that if children learned to be “fairminded” through philosophy at a very young age, they might be able to avoid the pitfalls that hitherto have seemed to be an inherent part of gender interaction?