Philosophy, Primal Wonder, and the Future of Education

Thomas E. Jackson (University of Hawaii)

The School of Sanskrit, Philosophy and Indic Studies (SSPIS) at Goa University cordially invites you to the online guest lecture titled "Philosophy, Primal Wonder, and the Future of Education" by Dr. Thomas E. Jackson. Kindly join us on 28 October 2022 (Friday) from 8:30 to 10:00 PM IST at https://hawaii.zoom.us/j/5951260428. 

Abstract
Of the three topics in this presentation “Philosophy, Primal Wonder, and the Future of Education,” two are familiar (Philosophy and Education) and one (Primal Wonder) is not. One objective of this presentation will be to connect the unfamiliar (Primal Wonder) with the familiar (Philosophy and Education). Doing this will entail first clarifying what is meant by “philosophy” in the context of this presentation. A very widespread understanding views philosophy as “the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.” A philosopher is “a person engaged or learned in philosophy, typically a credentialed (Ph.D.) member of a Department of Philosophy in a university setting. “Philosophy” in this sense is definitely for adults: “P4A.” And so, when people see "P4C (Philosophy for Children)," at first they are indeed puzzled and curious! They wonder: “How can this be?” This presentation aims to show more than “How can this be?” but “How this connection already IS!” Clarifying the meaning of “Primal Wonder” by identifying it as a critical component in the origin and nature of philosophy will then allow demonstrating how vital this connection is to our third topic: Education. Consistent with an approach I have developed over the years in my presentations I seek to make the sessions as interactive as possible. The three major topics of the presentation: “Philosophy, Primal Wonder, and the Future of Education” will remain foci. Their connections will grow out of the interactions among us. This approach provides an opportunity to ascertain and benefit from where the audience/participants are in their own current understanding of the various “pivot points” in the presentation as they occur. A visual slide of four pillars will hopefully assist in this understanding. One of the “pillars” of our work that you will encounter is community. To the extent that context allows, I hope to create this interactive environment. This is supported by a commitment to “not be in a rush…” I am heartened by the fact that session time has this interactive component as part of the presentation!

Speaker
Dr. Thomas E. Jackson earned his doctorate in Comparative Philosophy from the University of Hawai‘i in 1979. In 1980 he became a co-founder of the Hawai‘i International Film Festival. In 1984 he trained in “Philosophy for Children” (P4C) at Montclair State University in New Jersey with other scholars from around the world. There he learned from P4C’s creator, Matthew Lipman, an inspiring approach to working with children, a provocative new way of thinking about philosophy, and an exciting development in education. Since 1984 he has been passionately committed to the development of P4C in Hawai‘i and around the world. He is currently serving as Executive Director of the newly established UHM Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education. Dr. Jackson received a Chancellor’s Citation for Meritorious Teaching (2012) and the Robert W. Clopton Award for Distinguished Community Service (2021). His ongoing research interests focus on demonstrating the impact of doing philosophy with children in grades K-12. His publications include “Home Grown,” “Educational Perspectives: Journal of the College of Education/the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa,” “Philosophical Rules of Engagement,” Philosophy in Schools: An Introduction for Philosophers and Teachers, “Philosophy for Children Hawaiian Style—'On Not Being in a Rush…,'” “Thinking: The Journal of Philosophy for Children,” “The Art and craft of ‘Gently Socratic’ Inquiry,” Developing Minds: A Resource for Teaching Thinking (3rd edition), Freiheit in interkultureller Perspective, by Thomas E. Jackson and Ramakrishna Puligandla, “Sankara, Child Philosopher,” Breaking Barriers: Essays in Asian and Comparative Philosophy in Honor of Ramakrishna Puligandla, Primal Wonder-Ursprungliches Staunen, Polylog: WienerGesellschaft fur interculturelle Philosophie.