Are numbers real? Can trees think? Who am I?

Are numbers real? Can trees think? Who am I?

Are numbers real? Can trees think? Who am I?

Are numbers real? Can trees think? Who am I?

EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH PHILOSOPHICAL INQUIRY

Why we do what we do — find out how to get involved

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MERGER ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are very excited to announce the merger of the Center for Philosophy for Children and the national organization PLATO!
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Philosophers in the Schools

“Philosophers in the Schools” brings regular philosophy classes into pre-college classrooms around the Seattle area. The classes are taught by Center staff, UW graduate students and undergraduates, and community volunteers trained in philosophy education.

High School Ethics Bowl

The Washington State High School Ethics Bowl brings high school students together each year to discuss a series of wide-ranging ethical dilemmas relevant to youth, such as questions about plagiarism, peer pressure, abuse of social media, free speech, and gun control.

Lesson Plans

Lesson plans for doing philosophy through over 100 children's books and a wide range of games and activities for young people of all ages!

Support the Center

Invest in enriching young people's education! The gifts of donors are critical to the continued success of our programs. Please consider making a donation!

Reference Library

Check out the Reference Library for some of the best and newest books and resources for pre-college philosophy.

Reflections: Our Bi-Annual Newsletter

Reflections, which began in fall 2013, is published twice each year, in the fall and spring, and includes news about the Center, lesson plans, video clips, and more.

ABOUT

Center for Philosophy for Children | Department of Philosophy | University of Washington

About Us

Acquiring confidence in their perspectives and skill at expressing their views can make a real difference in children’s abilities to direct their lives. When children are introduced to philosophy, they learn to trust their own ideas and questions. It is an intellectual adventure for young people to discuss in a structured classroom environment the deep questions that matter to them. Students learn to appreciate that there are many ways to understand the world and that their own contributions are uniquely valuable.

Contact

  •   Center for Philosophy for Children
    Department of Philosophy
    University of Washington
    Box 353350
    Seattle, WA 98195-3350

Testimonials

Once you get kids thinking about philosophical concepts, there is no limit and their new ways of thinking will impact every discipline of learning.

Librarian

John Muir Elementary School (Seattle, WA)
There are so many different ways people think about things. That's what's great about philosophy, you realize that everyone sees things so differently.

Fourth Grade Student

Whittier Elementary School (Seattle, WA)
I have watched students who never participate in anything at school become excited and exuberant over the chance to express their ideas and ask their questions about why they are here, free will, the nature of illusion, consciousness, and their very existence.

Teacher

Nova High School (Seattle, WA)