PHILOSOPHY CLUB

A Philosophy competition? You may ask. Yes, indeed! Now in its sixth year at McKinnon, creative thinkers from all year levels (7-12) meet on Fridays during lunch time to discuss life’s Big Questions. Nine students are selected to participate in the Victorian and Australasian Philosothons from within this club and meet additionally after school to prepare for the competitions. How does one prepare for a Philosophy competition? The criteria students must meet is founded in the inquiry based Philosophy for Children pedagogy, which puts students at the center of teaching and learning. The goal is always to walk away with a better understanding of the topic, for oneself as well as helping to facilitate deeper understanding for others involved.

Specifically, we refer to the criteria as the three Cs: Critical, Creative and Caring thinking. Critical thinking is demonstrated by listening to what others say and asking questions to clarify, offering counter-examples, and drawing inferences. Creative thinking is demonstrated by simplifying concepts through suggesting criteria by which a topic can be understood. For example, when discussing the topic of Freedom of Speech, students may offer suggestions on the criteria necessary for exercising free speech, and alternatively what should the parameters be for censorship (if any). Caring thinking is exemplified by students adhering to the rules of philosophical dialogue and the Community of Inquirers.

To help students learn the skills necessary for collaborative philosophical dialogue, the Philosophy Club was fortunate to welcome back Prof. Laurance Splitter for several of our lunch time Club meetings. Students collaborated with Prof. Splitter about the importance of education. Daniel Ledda (Year 11) wondered about perspectives, “How do we know how many perspectives there are for any given thing?” To this epistemological/metaphysical question, Prof. Splitter replied, “That’s an interesting question, Daniel, and one which has had philosophers perplexed for centuries.” Philosophy Club is for wondering, sharing ideas and perspectives. Naturally, it is a forum to consider the perspectives of others and attempting to reconstruct one’s own.

2014 VICTORIAN PHILOSOTHON

Congratulations to the 2014 Philosothon team: Max Abrahams, Ellen Nichols, Isabella Blumberg, Lena Le, Liam Atchison, Chad Aizicowitz and Adam El Horri for their dedication and enthusiasm in learning and taking part in lifelong learning skills by doing Philosophy! Our McKinnon philosophers placed second in the state competition and will be invited to participate in the Australasian event in 2015. Students reflected on the event:

“On October 22nd a warm Wednesday morning, Max, Chad, Lena, Liam, Ellen and I met at McKinnon Station with our beloved Ms. Rocca, refreshed and ready for a long day of Inquiry in Melbourne. Once in the city, we started at the Museum exploring interesting exhibitions, including the Mind Gallery. Afterwards, we watched Hidden Universe at the IMAX https://www.imaxmelbourne.com.au/movie/hidden_universe_3d It was a mind-blowing film that made us wonder about our planets and stars, filling our heads with ideas, questions and information – all of which we discussed over a long pizza lunch on Lygon Street. Afterwards, we trekked around the city to find examples of the Philosothon topics in our environment. We practiced collaborating through inquiry, listened to each other’s ideas and built friendships on the foundation of our unanimous love of doing Philosophy. Once we arrived at the City Cite venue, we were excited to begin and completely ‘in the zone’ ready for the competition! I found the discussions challenging, thought provoking, delightful, passionate and as one judge put it, “impressive!” It was an intense day that finished up with McKinnon philosophers emerging victorious placing second among 10 other schools. We parted ways late in the evening back at McKinnon Station, happy, tired and blown away by the intense intellectual activities of our day.”

Izzy Blumberg, Year 10

“The city was an amazing place to hold the competition. We explored Melbourne including The Melbourne Museum which had interesting philosophical ideas in its exhibitions that related to the topics of the Philosothon and the Imax movie about the Galaxy which opened a whole chest of ideas to ponder, share and discuss our ideas. I really enjoyed connecting with my peers and the other students at the event and I hope we can do it again!”

Adam El Horri, Year 7

“After joining philosophy club, I’ve learnt a lot of valuable skills, including how to clarify and analyse arguments. I learn from other people and even from myself. The ideas of philosophy have impacted on every single day of my life. Thanks to philosophy, I know that I’m living, not just existing. Philosophy teaches me to have critical thinking and asking difficult questions of the most basic concepts about human rights, freedom of speech, happiness, identity and belonging... From examining these topics, I start exploring my real identity as to who am I, what do I actually want and to be more aware that my internal identity can be affected by external forces (by others people, by the environment). Also, I’m be more aware of the human nature, how is our world changing too quickly and the way we run our society.

Moreover, philosophy helps me to face the challenge and overcome my troubles. Two of my biggest problems are the English barrier and lacking of confidence. Before joining philosophy club, I’m always afraid of public speaking and express English in front of others because of the fear of trying something new, I’m often think to myself what if I use the wrong grammar or what if others do not understand me... But in philosophy club and philosothon, everyone contributes their ideas in a very friendly and respectable environment. Ms Rocca and the members of the group encourage me a lot to speak up and this helps my confidence. Their encouragement motivates me to overcome my fears by sharing my ideas and I feel so grateful to be a member in the philosophy club.”

“I have always had an interest for philosophy and why our world has the restrictions which it does. However, philosophy as a practise somewhat intimidates me and the Philosothon was absolutely no exception. The competition was amazing! In mixed groups of nine students per group, we grappled with complex topics including Free Speech and Knowing Yourself. There were students, teachers and a bunch of different people from Victorian schools, including Judges from Monash and the University of Melbourne, who all had differing views to contribute about the topics. It was an excellent chance to continue our development of philosophical ideas, and learn more about the perspectives of the wider community. Coming out of this experience, I am more familiar with how philosophy influences our world, and that the different perspectives of people enrich the ongoing discussions – which couldn’t possibly be resolved by the end of the event, but will definitely keep us wondering!”

Ellen Nichols, Year 10

Thank you to parents for their continued interest and support of this extension program.

“I write to congratulate you and the McKinnon SC Philosophy Team for putting in such a great effort to be placed second at last week's Philosothon. Watching proceedings at the Philosothon, I was really impressed by the standard of discourse and the civilized manner in which the students - and McKinnon's students in particular - put forward their views on topics from "What is the Good Life?" to "Does Science lead to Progress?" It was an illuminating experience. I wish you every success in growing Philosophy at McKinnon SC. It's an activity that everyone can get something out of. Best regards and warm good wishes, Alan Atchison”

Parent of Liam Atchison, Year 7 philosopher

Aristotle is known to have said, “Learning begins in wonder.” Our Philosophy Club doors are open to all students, staff, parents and community educators, so come along and wonder about philosophy and the world with us!

Please visit the Moorabin Leader webpage for a highlight on the Philosothon event: https://www.facebook.com/MoorabbinLeader/photos/a.656158497739939.1073741826.154790227876771/813589488663505/?type=1&theater

Michelle Rocca

Philosophy Club/ Philosothon Coordinator