This printable textbook provides a systematic explanation for every point mentioned in the specification. In the next section It then provides arguments for and against each point and, where appropriate, summarises arguments using premises and conclusions. The file is a .doc Word file, 140 pages in length, 72000 words. It is designed to be a comprehensive reader for AQA Philosophy students. This should be viewed as a printable information book: it does not include learning activities or images. It aims to provide the necessary information as effectively and comprehensively as possible. Note: it does not cover the Applied Ethics section which, if this resource succeeds, will be covered in a later volume.

This toolkit will help you to develop study skills with your students; it uses a self-regulated learning approach which encourages students to plan, monitor, evaluate and regulate their approach to study skill development. The download includes: A study-skills reflection workbook A knowledge-hunt lesson about study skills for use with the workbook An additional interactive multi-use lesson focused on study skills The resource draws on pedagogical approaches such as: reflective learning, independent learning, metacognition and self-regulated learning. The development of study skills is a crucial aspect of self-regulated learning for students. Self-regulated learning refers to the ability to effectively plan, monitor, and evaluate one’s own learning process. By acquiring and honing study skills, students gain the tools necessary to take control of their own education. Study skills enable students to approach their studies with intention and purpose, allowing them to set clear goals, manage their time effectively, and employ effective strategies for comprehension and retention. Additionally, study skills empower students to adapt their learning strategies to suit different subjects and learning environments. By becoming self-regulated learners through the cultivation of study skills, students not only enhance their academic performance but also develop valuable lifelong skills that can be applied in various aspects of their personal and professional lives. ** This collection of teaching resources and lesson plans will help your students to develop their study skills!**

This interactive PowerPoint uses a variety of activities to encourage student reflection and establish clear goals and targets. This resource is ideal for quick target-setting activites in lessons or for structuring multiple target-setting sessions. The PowerPoint can be used multiple times with the same groups and encourages students to reflect on targets relating to: work quality, learning power, attitude to learning, subject knowledge, study-skills and long-term strategy. The download includes both an editable file and an automated PowerPoint Show (recommended). The PowerPoint uses an integrated interactive menu that allows you to choose between thirty different activity slides (each with 3-4 activities).

**This download includes over twenty worksheets & printables that focus on target-setting! ** The download includes: 6 x full-page double-sided worksheets 6 x half-page folding worksheets 6 x half-side mini worksheets 6 x small target-setting printables (e.g. 8/page) The download includes editable .doc and easy-print .pdf formats of the worksheets. Target-Setting, Metacognition & Self-Regulate Learning Target-setting in the classroom can help to boost metacognition and self-regulated learning by providing students with clear goals and objectives that they can work towards. When students have a clear understanding of what they are working towards, they are more likely to engage in self-regulated learning behaviors such as planning, monitoring, and evaluating their own learning progress. This can help students to develop a better understanding of their own learning processes and how they can improve their performance over time. Additionally, target-setting can help to promote metacognition by encouraging students to reflect on their own learning progress and identify areas where they need to improve. By setting targets that are challenging but achievable, students can develop a sense of ownership over their own learning and become more motivated to succeed.

This download includes student reflection worksheets for the start, middle, and end of each term. The download includes nine worksheets: three for each term, covering an entire school year. This product features three different worksheet formats. Each of these colourful double-sided worksheets encourages students to engage in metacognition and self-regulated learning: At the start of each term these worksheets encourage students to reflect on how the previous term went, how they have prepared for the new term, how they can improve their learning strategies, and how they can plan for success in the new term - anticipating challenges ahead. The mid-term reflection worksheets encourage students to monitor progress, evaluate current approaches to learning, identify obstacles and reflect on how to overcome them, and anticipate the requirements of end-of-term assessments. The end-of-term reflection worksheets help students to reflect on how the term went, the progress they have made, the quantity and quality of their learning, the strengths and weaknesses in their approaches to learning, how they can improve moving forward, and how they might be best prepared for the next term. The worksheets emphasise target-setting at each stage and engage students in the self-regulated learning cycle (of planning, monitoring, evaluating, and regulating their approaches to learning. The download includes easy-print .pdf versions of the worksheets as well as editable .doc (Microsoft Word) versions in-case you need to customise them for your students.

This ‘Fun Philosophy Lesson’ is focused on philosophical and ethical issues that relate dance and dancing. It’s ideal for dance teachers to use with students aged 8-16 in order to help them understand the importance of dance on a deeper level. This interactive multi-use learning session is useful as a part of your schools performing arts provision and is of particular interest to teachers of dance it focuses on a wide range of topics such as: The value and purpose of dance The evolutionary psychology of dance Ecstatic Dance and the role of dance in spiritual development Ethical conduct and good manners on the dancefloor The importance of dance in social and emotional development The benefits of dancing for wider society and culture Dance Movement Therapy and the role of dance in fostering good mental health and treating mental illness . . The big question asked in this session is “Why do people dance?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical and ethical questions such as: What, fundamentally, is dance? Why do some people enjoy dancing to music that evokes “negative” emotions such as anger, rage, tragedy or sadness? In what ways might a psychotherapist use dance as a tool for healing and treating mental illnesses? Why might dancing in a group or with a partner be uniquely beneficial in comparison with dancing alone? To what extent is it reasonable to say that “it is human nature to dance”? To what extent is there something politically rebellious about dancing freely and expressing oneself through dance? In terms of what one is doing with one’s mind: what is the essence of “skilful dancing”? . . This resource is suitable for students aged 8-16; due to the flexible nature of the sessions design it can be used for multiple hour-long sessions or as a short stimulating tutor-group activity. The file is a non-editable PowerPoint Show: no planning or preparation is required, just run the file and the intuitive menu system will make delivering a powerful philosophy session very easy!

This ‘Fun Philosophy Lesson’ is focused on philosophical and ethical issues that relate to Artificial Intelligence (AI), artificial consciousness, automation, robotics and cybernetics. This interactive multi-use learning session is useful as a part of your schools PSHE/SMSC provision and is of particular interest to teachers of ICT/Computer Science and Design & Technology; it focuses on a wide range of topics such as: The implications of artificial intelligence for society, economy and day-to-day life Whether or not artificial consciousness is theoretically possible Self-driving cars and automated moral decision making The possibility of ‘Robot Rights’ and having moral duties towards artificial intelligence and robots The use of AI-operated drones in a military context The future of employment in a world of AI and automation We’ve aimed to cover as many bases as possible when it comes to finding engaging philosophical and ethical issues for young learners to debate and discuss! The big question asked in this session is “Will we ever create a computer that has an experience?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical and ethical questions such as: How might Artificial Intelligence (AI) start to impact our lives in the coming decades? Which professions do you think are the least likely to be replaced by AI systems and/or automation? What rules could be programmed into a self-driving car to ensure that it never does anything evil? What are the potential risks and dangers of trying to improve human beings by using cybernetic implants? To what extent is it possible to do something unethical to a robot? and Would you ever vote for a political party that was constituted only of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems? This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. With a massive selection of activities designed to trigger philosophical discussions, debates and reflections: you can re-use the resource numerous times with the same group. For teachers wishing to run ‘P4C’ (Philosophy for Children) sessions these resources are ideal! The file is a PowerPoint Show: no planning or preparation is required, just run the file and the intuitive menu system will make delivering a powerful philosophy session very easy! This resource is suitable for students aged 8-16; due to the flexible nature of the sessions design it can be used for multiple hour-long sessions or as a short stimulating tutor-group activity.

This fun philosophy lesson is focused on ‘environmental ethics’: the branch of ethics that studies the moral relationship between humans and the natural environment. This multi-use session will help your students to explore how we should act towards the environment and the creatures that live in it. This philosophy session is useful as a part of your schools PSHE/SMSC provision and is of particular interest to biology teachers, geography teachers, teachers of environmental sciences and ethics teachers. It’s also a perfect resource for educators to use for ‘Earth Day’ (April 22nd). The session explores topics such as: Humanity’s relationship to nature Climate change and its implications Moral duties towards wildlife How to live an eco-friendly lifestyle Sustainable Societies The environmental impact of lifestyle choices The big question asked in this session is “To what extent is it climate change a problem that can be solved?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical and ethical questions such as: What is the single biggest threat to the health of our planet’s ecosystem at the moment? To what extent is spending time in natural environments important for maintaining good mental health? In terms of choosing a career: which careers and jobs cause the most harm, and which the least, to the environment? If the meat industry is one of the leading producers of greenhouse gasses that cause climate change: should we all go vegan? What are our moral duties to ‘climate change refugees’? If you were the ruler of the world: what laws would you create in order to protect the planet from environmental harm? This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. With a massive selection of activities designed to trigger philosophical discussions, debates and reflections: you can re-use the resource numerous times with the same group. Students will also analyse and evaluate an eclectic mix of philosophical and ethical claims such as: “It is never acceptable for a company to pollute a river”’ “Since an asteroid will one day destroy all life on earth: environmentalism doesn’t actually matter” “The basic drivers of climate change will not change – so humanity is doomed” “There are too many humans on this planet: it’s best not to reproduce and create more” and “Humans have a right to do with the planet whatever we want” The file is a PowerPoint Show: no planning or preparation is required, just run the file and the intuitive menu system will make delivering a powerful philosophy session very easy!

This fun philosophy lesson is focused on ‘bioethics’ and explores moral and ethical issues relating to biomedical research, new biomedical technologies, and the field of practical medicine. This philosophy session is of particular interest to Biology Teachers and is designed with the biology classroom in mind; since it explores moral issues in depth, the resource can also contribute to your schools SMSC remit. This session explores topics such as: Ethical vs unethical biomedical research Animal experimentation New biotechnologies such as cloning and genetic engineering Moral dilemmas faced by medical professionals Euthanasia Whilst the session explores some reproductive technologies and their implications (such as the ability for parents to choose the sex of their child), it does not refer to the abortion debate. We felt that this particular topic was not suitable for younger learners and was far too important, controversial and nuanced to be covered in a ‘Fun Philosophy Lesson’! The big question asked in this session is “What are the biggest ethical issues raised by upcoming biotechnologies?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical and ethical questions such as: What is the difference between an ethical scientific experiment and an unethical one? To what extent should all people have the right to refuse medical treatment? To what extent is it moral and desirable to improve the human species using biomedical technologies such as genetic engineering? Why might some people feel that the widespread use of cosmetic surgery is morally problematic? and To what extent is ‘Jurassic Park’ a morally problematic idea? This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. With a massive selection of activities designed to trigger philosophical discussions, debates and reflections: you can re-use the resource numerous times with the same group. This resource is suitable for students aged 8-16; due to the flexible nature of the sessions design it can be used for multiple hour-long sessions or as a short stimulating tutor-group activity. The file is a PowerPoint Show: no planning or preparation is required, just run the file and the intuitive menu system will make delivering a powerful philosophy session very easy!

This multi-use interactive philosophy lesson explores philosophical and ethical issues relating to space, space exploration and alien life. This session is ideal for teachers who want to explore philosophy in science lessons with students aged 8-16; we’ve carefully selected the most significant issues and questions relating to space and space exploration so that young learners can engage in fun philosophical discussions and debates. This session explores topics such as: Cosmology: the nature and potential origins of space and the universe Ethical issues such as: The rights of native species when colonising planets Terraforming Artificial panspermia The development of space-based weaponry Extra-terrestrial life One of the main philosophical debates explored by this instructional resource concerns ‘the fabric of space’: the debate between ‘Substantivalism’ (the view that space exists in addition to any material bodies situated within it) and the contrasting view ‘Relationalism’ which claims that there is no such thing as space; there are just material bodies, spatially related to one another. According to the relationalist view, what we call ‘space’ is literally just the empty nothingness between things that actually exist (atoms, planets, etc.). The big question asked in this session is “Is colonising other planets actually a good idea?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical and moral questions such as: What is ‘space’ made of? (if anything) In what ways might aliens be different to us in terms of how they communicate, think and feel? If you reached the edge of space (the edge of the universe) and threw a rock over the edge: what would happen? To what extent is it a good idea for large corporations to lead humanity when it comes to space exploration? How would the discovery of alien life impact humanity? Students will also analyse and evaluate an eclectic mix of philosophical claims such as: “If aliens exist, they’ll probably be hostile and unfriendly” “The Universe had a beginning, and it will have an end” “It’s more important to focus on fixing the environmental issues on our planet than exploring space” and “Unless we colonise other planets it is only a matter of time before humanity goes extinct” This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. With a massive selection of activities designed to trigger philosophical discussions, debates and reflections: you can re-use the resource numerous times with the same group.

This fun philosophy lesson is focused on ‘Animal Ethics’: the branch of ethics which examines human-animal relationships, the moral consideration of animals and how nonhuman animals ought to be treated. Animal ethics explores topics such as animal rights, animal welfare, animal law, speciesism, animal cognition, wildlife conservation, wild animal suffering, the moral status of nonhuman animals, the concept of nonhuman personhood, human exceptionalism, the history of animal use, and theories of justice. This philosophy session is of interest to teachers of all school subjects who are hoping to explore ethics with young learners; since it explores moral issues in depth the resource is a great contribution to your schools SMSC remit. This session explores topics such as: Our moral duties towards animals The ethics of eating meat Animal testing Blood-sports and Utilitarian theories of animal ethics The big question asked in this session is “When (if ever) is it morally acceptable to cause an animal to suffer?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical and ethical questions such as: What does the term ‘animal rights’ mean? To what extent is it morally wrong to eat animals such as cats and dogs? To what extent is it morally wrong to test cosmetics on animals? and To what extent is hunting wild animals a moral hobby? Students will also analyse and evaluate an eclectic mix of philosophical claims such as: “Humans are inherently superior & valuable to all other animals” “Animal testing is morally acceptable if the animals are being used to create new medicines” “All species go extinct eventually: protecting endangered species is a waste of time" and “An insect does not have an experience of living and cannot feel pain” This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. With a massive selection of activities designed to trigger philosophical discussions, debates and reflections: you can re-use the resource numerous times with the same group. This resource is suitable for students aged 8-16; due to the flexible nature of the sessions design it can be used for multiple hour-long sessions or as a short stimulating tutor-group activity. The file is a PowerPoint Show: no planning or preparation is required, just run the file and the intuitive menu system will make delivering a powerful philosophy session very easy!

This multi-use interactive philosophy lesson explores ‘Philosophy of Mental Health’: an interdisciplinary field of study that combines views and methods from the philosophy of mind, psychology, neuroscience, and moral philosophy in order to analyse the nature of mental illness. We’ve aimed to combine philosophical issues with practical ‘PSHE’ topics to create a fascinating philosophy teaching resource that will help your students to explore the topic of mental health whilst emphasising critical-thinking skills and challenging assumptions. This session is ideal for teachers who want to explore philosophy with students aged 8-16; we’ve carefully selected the most significant issues and questions relating to philosophy of mental health so that young learners can engage in fun and useful philosophical discussions and debates. This session explores topics such as: The nature of the mental illness Different theories as to the fundamental causes of mental illness How lifestyle choices can promote good mental health How to respond to mental health challenges in ourselves and others The role of society and culture in the genesis of mental illness The big question asked in this session is “Why do some people face mental health challenges whilst others do not?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical questions such as To what extent is mental illness similar to physical illness? What are the primary causes of mental health challenges? What is the best way to treat a mental illness? What are some ways in which people can manage and reduce the amount of stress they have in their lives? To what extent should people rely on medication to help manage and treat mental health conditions? and How can lifestyle choices impact the likelihood that we develop mental health problems? This resource is suitable for teachers of all school subjects who are looking explore the topic of mental health and mental illness with young people: it is of particular relevant to Psychology Teachers and PSHE Teachers and PSHE Co-ordinators. This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. With a massive selection of activities designed to trigger philosophical discussions, debates and reflections: you can re-use the resource numerous times with the same group. Aside from a wide range of debate and discussion activities, teachers can also choose from a variety of more substantial activities such as essay writing, poetry writing, and speech writing tasks.

Philosophers and sages have reflected on the nature and significance of death and mortality since ancient times whilst reflecting on the possibility of an afterlife in the face of the mystery of death. According to many philosophers and psychologists: a healthy appreciation of one’s own finitude is essential for living a full life and for striving to live without regrets. Speaking about death and dying is a taboo in our society and yet by failing to speak openly about it we can often exacerbate the fear of death in young minds and feed their anxieties around death. This interactive philosophy lesson allows for open and reasonable discussions about death, mortality, and the possibility (or impossibility) of an afterlife. It is created without a religious or cultural bias or an agenda to persuade or convert students to a particular viewpoint in relation to the afterlife. This session is ideal for teachers who want to explore these deep matters of life and death with students aged 8-16; we’ve carefully selected the most significant issues and questions relating to death and the afterlife so that young learners can engage in fun philosophical discussions and debates. This session explores topics such as: The nature of the death The benefits of contemplating one’s own mortality Different views about the afterlife Whether or believing in ghosts is justified The value of funerals and honouring the dead Existential psychology Please be careful to time your use of this resource carefully and to deliver it with due sensitivity as some young people might struggle to wrestle with these issues. Please note: this resource discusses a variety of afterlife beliefs (i.e. the possibility of reincarnation, Heaven, Hell and nothingness) and, therefore, will probably involve the analysis and evaluation of religious beliefs. The big question asked in this session is “What are the benefits of thinking deeply about our own mortality?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical questions such as: Why do you think people are reluctant to talk about death and dying and that such topics are a taboo in our society? To what extent can thinking about death help us to appreciate and value those around us more? Many people have reported seeing ghosts: to what extent does this prove that ghosts exist? What do you think people experience after they die? How should we live our lives in such a way that we are always ready to die? and To what extent do Near Death Experiences (NDEs) prove that life after death is definitely true?

Boggle brains with this fully resourced philosophy lesson explores the fundamental nature, assumptions, foundations, and implications of mathematics! This multi-use interactive philosophy lesson explores ‘Philosophy of Mathematics’: the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of mathematical truth, mathematical proof, mathematical evidence, mathematical practice, and mathematical explanation. This fully resourced philosophy lesson is ideal for teachers who want to explore philosophy of mathematics with students aged 8-16*; we’ve carefully selected the most significant issues and questions relating to philosophy of science so that young learners can engage in fun philosophical discussions and debates. This session explores topics such as: The nature of mathematics The unique nature of mathematical knowledge Theories of mathematics such as logicism, intuitionism and formalism The link between mathematics and the natural world The idea that mathematics can be beautiful The big question asked in this session is “Are mathematical laws invented or discovered?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical questions such as What is a number? What is the purpose of mathematics? To what extent is nature itself governed by mathematical principles, rules and laws? Does a mathematical law refer to physical reality or is it only a mental construct with no bearing on reality? What is the relationship between scientific knowledge and mathematics? Students will also analyse and evaluate an eclectic mix of philosophical claims such as: “Mathematical knowledge is something we discover entirely through studying the physical world” “Numbers never lie” “Mathematics is the best way to objectively understand the world” “Living a good life depends on an understanding of mathematics” and “Mathematics is best understood as being like a game” This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. With a massive selection of activities designed to trigger philosophical discussions, debates and reflections: you can re-use the resource numerous times with the same group. This resource is especially suitable for teachers of mathematics who are looking to explore the fundamental nature, assumptions, foundations, and implications of mathematics more deeply with students and bring philosophy, philosophical thinking and critical thinking into their maths lessons.

Explore ethical issues relating to scientific research and advancement with this philosophy teaching resource for students aged 8-16! This multi-use interactive philosophy lesson is ideal for teachers who want to explore ethical issues relating to science with students aged 8-16; we’ve carefully selected the most significant moral issues and questions relating to philosophy of science so that young learners can engage in interesting philosophical discussions and engaging moral debates. This session explores topics such as: The nature of ethical vs unethical scientific research The ethical duties of scientists Rules that ensure scientific research is ethical The use of animals in scientific research Moral issues raised by new scientific advancements (e.g., nuclear weapons, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence) One of the overarching issues explored in this session is the degree to which scientists are responsible for the ways in which their research is used and the technologies that research can give rise to. The big question asked in this session is “What ethical rules should scientists adhere to in the pursuit of knowledge?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical questions such as: What kinds of ethical considerations should all scientists keep in mind when conducting research? What ethical rules should all scientists stick to when conducting research? Are there some things that are fundamentally unethical to research in the first place? To what extent is it ethical for a scientist to help develop new drone weaponry? Students will also analyse and evaluate an eclectic mix of philosophical and moral claims such as: “Sometimes it’s okay to use animals in scientific experiments” “It’s always okay to experiment on humans if they give consent” “Some scientific advancements have done more harm than good” “Scientists should have refused to help develop nuclear weapons” and “Sometimes it’s okay for scientists to distort data if it leads to a greater good”

This multi-use interactive philosophy lesson explores ‘Philosophy of Science’: the branch of philosophy that’s concerned with the nature, foundations, methods, and implications of science. The central questions of this study concern what qualifies as science, the reliability of scientific theories, and the ultimate purpose of science. This session is ideal for teachers who want to explore philosophy of science with students aged 8-16; we’ve carefully selected the most significant issues and questions relating to philosophy of science so that young learners can engage in fun philosophical discussions and debates. This session explores topics such as: The nature of science The ways in which scientists pursue knowledge Strengths and weaknesses of the scientific method The nature of pseudoscience and how to identify it It outlines and explores different concepts from philosophers of science including empiricism and naturalism as well as the views of Aristotle, Bacon, Descartes, Duhem, Feyerabend and Cartwright (in the advanced reading section). The big question asked in this session is “To what extent is science the most valid way to gain knowledge?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical questions such as What is science? What is the difference between ‘scientific knowledge claims’ and other types of knowledge claim? How can we tell the difference between pseudoscience and actual science? To what extent is the materialist view (that only physical matter exists) accurate? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the scientific method of pursuing knowledge? This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. With a massive selection of activities designed to trigger philosophical discussions, debates and reflections: you can re-use the resource numerous times with the same group. This resource is especially suitable for teachers of science who are looking to explore the nature of science and the scientific method more deeply with students and bring philosophy, philosophical thinking and critical thinking into their science lessons. The file is a PowerPoint Show: no planning or preparation is required, just run the file and the intuitive menu system will make delivering a powerful philosophy session very easy! This resource is suitable for students aged 8-16; due to the flexible nature of the sessions design it can be used for multiple hour-long sessions or as a short stimulating tutor-group activity.

This multi-use interactive philosophy lesson explores ‘Philosophy of Mind’: the field of philosophy that studies the nature of the mind and how it is linked to the body. The session will also trigger fascinating discussions about ‘the problem of other minds’, how we know whether or not something has a mind, solipsism, how to study the mind, and the possibilities of generating artificial consciousness. This session is ideal for teachers who want to explore philosophy with students aged 8-16; we’ve carefully selected the most significant issues and questions relating to philosophy of mind so that young learners can engage in fun philosophical discussions and debates. This session explores topics such as: The nature of the mind Qualities and properties associated with the mind The manner in which the mind can be said to exist The relationship between the brain and the mind It outlines and explores the fundamental debate at the core of philosophy of mind surrounding mind-body dualism, physicalism, idealism as well as classic philosophical problems such as the problem of other minds and ‘The Hard Problem of Consciousness’. The big question asked in this session is “Do we ever experience anything other than our own mind?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical questions such as What is the mind made of? Do plants have minds? What is the size, shape, and location of the mind? How could you prove to someone else that you have a mind? and What is ‘the external world’ like beyond our mental representations of it? Students will also analyse and evaluate an eclectic mix of philosophical claims such as: “There is no ‘mental stuff’ in reality: only physical stuff exists” “The mind does not have a size” “One day humans will create a computer that has a mind or a conscious experience of existence” and “The colour red doesn’t actually exist in the world: it’s a mental quality that only exists in the mind” This resource is suitable for students aged 8-16; due to the flexible nature of the sessions design it can be used for multiple hour-long sessions or as a short stimulating tutor-group activity. This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. The file is a PowerPoint Show: no planning or preparation is required, just run the file and the intuitive menu system will make delivering a powerful philosophy session very easy!

Help students to protect themselves against misinformation and delusion with this powerful set of resources! In the age of misinformation teaching critical-thinking skills is an essential duty for teachers and schools. Aside from our standard ‘Fun Philosophy Lesson’ which will help you to trigger deep discussions and engaging debates about critical thinking with ease, this download also includes a special ‘Defence Against the Dark Arts’ lesson which is based on recent research that suggest ‘inoculating against misinformation’ is far more effective than trying to undo false beliefs retrospectively. The resource also includes our Logical Fallacy Training Pack which helps students practice their skills at detecting deceptive and manipulative arguments using the power of reason and logic! This philosophy teaching resource pack is of interest to all teachers working with students aged 8-16 and explores topics such as: The nature of critical thinking The value of scepticism Emotional biases in the pursuit of truth Logical Fallacies Reliable vs unreliable sources of information Detecting misinformation online The big question asked in this session is “How do we know if a particular claim is really true?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical questions such as: Why is it important to be sceptical about what we read online? What might happen to a person who had absolutely no critical-thinking skills? What are the main sources of bias that influence your ability to wisely discern truth from falsehood? and To what extent is it possible to be 100% certain about anything? Students will also analyse and evaluate an eclectic mix of philosophical claims such as: “We can trust that what our parents and teachers tell us is definitely true.” “Our emotions and feelings can get in the way of our rational pursuit of the truth” and “We should be wary of people who hold extreme political views” As with all our resources, this session will help students to develop vital communication, social and interpersonal skills: healthy debates will help learners to practice ‘disagreeing in an agreeable fashion’. This resource is suitable for students aged 8-16; due to the flexible nature of the sessions design it can be used for multiple hour-long sessions or as a short stimulating tutor-group activity. The ‘Fun Philosophy Lesson’ resource uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities.

This fun philosophy lesson focuses on political philosophy: the branch of philosophy that explores matters relating to politics, liberty, justice, property, and rights. Political philosophy also explores law and how laws are enforced by authorities, the purpose of government, what rights and freedoms it should protect, what form it should take. Political philosophers also investigate the responsibilities and duties we all have in relation to the state, what duties citizens owe to a legitimate government, and when (if ever) governments may be legitimately overthrown through revolution. This session introduces political philosophy to young learners and refers to important philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This session is of interest to all teachers working with students aged 8-16 but has a special relevance to teachers of civics, politics, and those covering politics in their school’s PSHE/SMSC curricula. This session explores topics such as: Different forms of government The importance of laws The nature of freedom and ‘free societies’ Human Rights The nature of utopias and dystopias The big question asked in this session is “What would a perfect society (utopia) be like? To what extent is creating one possible?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical questions such as: What do terms like ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ really mean? What qualities ought a good leader of a country to have? All in all, are we more or less free as a result of living in a modern civilised society? In our own society, which laws (if any) do you think are potentially unjust? Students will also analyse and evaluate an eclectic mix of philosophical claims such as: “Society cannot function without people sacrificing certain freedoms” “I would rather live in a tribe in the jungle than in a modern society” “I can think of ways to improve this society and make it a better system for people to live in” This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. The file is a PowerPoint Show: no planning or preparation is required, just run the file and the intuitive menu system will make delivering a powerful philosophy session very easy! This resource is suitable for students aged 8-16; due to the flexible nature of the sessions design it can be used for multiple hour-long sessions or as a short stimulating tutor-group activity.

This fun philosophy lesson focuses on aesthetics, art and the nature of beauty. Aestheticians ask questions like “What is a work of art?”, “What makes a work of art successful?”, “Why do we find certain things beautiful?”, “How can things of very different categories be considered equally beautiful?”, “Is there a connection between art and morality?”, “Can art be a vehicle of truth?”, “Are aesthetic judgments objective statements or purely subjective expressions of personal attitudes?”, “Can aesthetic judgments be improved or trained?” This session is of particular interest to Art Teachers and teachers of subjects that have an aesthetic component (such as Design, Crafts, and Textiles); we’ve carefully selected the most significant philosophical issues wrestled with by aestheticians both ancient and modern so that young learners can engage in fun philosophical discussions and debates. This session explores topics such as: The nature and value of art Different ways of evaluating art The nature of beauty and the degree to which it is “in the eye of the beholder” Cultural and historical relativism in evaluating art and beauty The impact of AI in the creation of art The big question asked in this session is “Is beauty an objective fact or merely ‘in the eye of the beholder’?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical questions such as: What makes one object “art” and another object “not art”? How should we measure the value of art? Why do people create art? What are the moral duties of an artist? How can creating art benefit our community and society? This resource is suitable for students aged 8-16; due to the flexible nature of the sessions design it can be used for multiple hour-long sessions or as a short stimulating tutor-group activity. The file is a PowerPoint Show: no planning or preparation is required, just run the file and the intuitive menu system will make delivering a powerful philosophy session very easy! This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. With a massive selection of activities designed to trigger philosophical discussions, debates and reflections: you can re-use the resource numerous times with the same group.