The Philosophers ToolkitBasic Tools

ReasoningQuestioning

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ction

Clarifying

Distinctions

•When necessary distinction may need to be spelt out when undertaking discussions so that the participants understand the uses and limitations of key terms. •It is always a balance between being precise and not being too limiting.•Can include ranking or classifying a range of things as well as defining two concepts.

Clarifying

Used to make sure the meaning is understood.

Suggestions

Can be used to respond to a topic question.

Reasons

•Used to support what is be said. •Can lead into a reason with the word ‘because’ i.e. I like apples because they have a great taste. Some sheep are lost because Little Bow Peep has lost her sheep.

Agreement/Disagreement

•Used to express and explore opinions.•A disagreement in philosophy can help understand a topic better

Examples

Used to illustrate and/or support what is being said.

Counter Examples

Used to demonstrate that a generalization is wrong.

Thought Experiments

Using ‘What if…’ or ‘Suppose that…’ to examine ideas, issues and problems in terms of imagined possibilities or scenarios.

Reflection

A variety of methods can be used to summarize or respond to intellectual activity into a particular topic in order to close a discussion or debate, such as:

• Thumbs up/thumbs down• Designing a summary quote• Reporting learning in a journal

• Responding to specific reflective questions• Stream of consciousness• Pose a final question

Questions

Used to open up intellectual discussion, identify themes and raise important issues. Can be in the form of:

• Random questions• Open/closed questions• Questioning Toolkit

• Bloom’s hierarchical questions• Consecutive & Non consecutive discussion questions

• CAM discussion sequence

Justifying

•When we use a reason we justify something.•Can lead into a justification with the word ‘therefore’. i.e. I like apples because they have a great taste. Some sheep are lost because Little Bow Peep has lost her sheep.

Inferring

•Used to image why something has happened or is happening.•Can lead into an inference with the word ‘therefore’. i.e. Apples have a great taste therefore I like them. Little Bow Peep has lost her sheep, therefore some sheep are lost.

Valuing something or a series of things.

Judging