Philosophy Teacher and Teaching Philosophy resources
Why should those philosophy teachers and those teaching philosophy (High School teachers, College and University lecturers and professors) and others in educational groups want to use these docu-drama scripts?
We do not live in the 18th Century “Age of Enlightenment. But consider these philosophers and those directly inspired by philosophy. David Hume and Adam Smith (teachers of moral philosophy) helped to make that time of Enlightenment possible. They built on the heritage of Socrates (the Father of Western Philosophy) and others. They left a legacy on which Jeremy Bentham (the Father of International Law) built. Indeed, Bentham acknowledged that he took one word (“utility”) from Hume’s writings and built his philosophy of Utilitarianism, that the value of anything is in how it is used. It is acknowledged that Robert Burns used Adam Smith’s teachings about the “Independent Spectator” to inspire his words, “to see ourselves as others see us” in one of his greatest poems.
The Age of the Scottish Radical Enlightenment” was a time when in market place and pub constructive philosophy was discussed by people of all walks of life.
The Scottish Radical Enlightenment of the 18th Cenury inspired Scotland’s great contribution to education throughout the world. Arguably, it has been and still is Scotland’s greatest export and one reason why Scotland is held in such high regard throughout our world. It’s the reason why the author of these Fringe docu-dramas came to Scotland and Edinburgh, the “City of Enlightenment” from America to do post-graduate work. And after 50 years of living in Scotland he believes that Scotland’s Radical Enlightenment offers for us and all in our world an inspiration to help make us better people and this a better world. (The docu-drama on Robert Burns will be published, initially through www.Lulu.com shortly after being performed at the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.)
Is the 21st Century being called an “Age of Enlightenment”?
Philosophy teacher and those teaching philosophy can help it to become so.
But why use drama to teach philosophy and its related subjects?
Because if a picture is worth a thousand words, drama is worth many millions. A student role-playing being a philosopher is the best way to help him to become a philosopher.
A lesson play for philosophy teacher and those teaching philosophy through these docu-dramas.
For the philosophy teacher / lecturer / professor or for those teaching philosophy
1. Raise questions relevant to the interest and needs of the class/group and relate them to their situation and that of their world to help them to prepare for discussion after the play-reading.
2, Allocate role-play parts as given in the cast list at the beginning of the docu-drama.
3. Read out (or have someone in the class/group read out) the life of the philosopher as stated in its introduction.
4. Allow time for your selected part of the docu-drama to be read or performed by the cast with time for discussion afterwards.
Philosophy teacher and those teaching philosophy
Should you have any questions regarding how this website and philosophy plays can be used by a philosophy teacher or those envolved in teaching philosophy then please contact us for advice.