Teaching Philosophy in the Twenty-First Century

The relevance of philosophy in the strife torn world of today cannot be undermined: going into the ‘why’ of ideas, philosophy examines the importance of concepts and ways to cultivate values, and foster them. But its growing unpopularity particularly as a discipline of study warrants specific attention. The book explores an important factor responsible for this — the way in which philosophy is taught. The papers, presented at a national seminar sponsored by Indian Council of Philosophical Research, look into various aspects of teaching philosophy: its methods, models, techniques, associated problems and prospects in the coming decades to highlight the nature and relevance of philosophy. They scrutinise the philosophy curriculum in universities today and study the methods of teaching philosophy in ancient India, with their stress on summarising the essence of philosophical doctrines in sutras or aphorisms. Scholars from the West in their thought-provoking analyses present the changing patterns of curriculum and syllabus of philosophy, and the use of computers and science fiction for the purpose. The Indian teachers of philosophy, both old and young, emphasise on acquainting the students with philosophy right from the school level, and teaching philosophy in an entertaining yet edifying manner by presenting life stories of philosophers and teaching through novel methods. They discuss the need to introduce and popularize philosophy among people in general so as to make philosophy a way of life that can usher in moral and spiritual progress in the Twenty-first Century.