For World Philosophy Day, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) organized a one week seminar entitled “How can Philosophy be taught in Nursery and Primary Schools?” which will be given by Mr. Oscar Brenifier, a Philosophy professor, teacher trainer (Philosophy for kids, Philosophy workshop), and Philosophy consultant of the Institute of Philosophical Practice, Paris. The plenary session started with a conference given by Mr. Brenifier, from 15:30 till 17:00, entitled: “Philosophy: A School in the City”.

This event, hosted by the Sophia Laboratory of the Department of Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities, took place from November 18 to 21, 2013, from 15:30 to 18:30, in Auditorium B, at USEK Main Campus. 

The seminar focuses on both theoretical and practical components of teaching philosophy:

1) Theoretical component – Working on both philosophical attitudes and skills, taking as a fulcrum three registers of philosophical requirements:

• Thinking for yourself (intellectual aspect)
• Being yourself (existential aspect)
• Participating and thinking in the group (social aspect)

2) Practical component – Practice consists of different exercises using philosophical attitudes and skills. In the traditional workshop commonly known as philosophical debate, the work focuses on an issue or a text, a story or a fairy tale. It is not only about studying the main topic, but also about teaching students how to engage with the content and the ideas expressed therein.

The seminar targets: school leaders, teachers, pedagogues, heads of year, school managers, philosophers, theologians, journalists, and any other people interested in making a change both in teaching and transferring knowledge.