What ever happened to the idea of teaching philosophy in schools?

More than 15 years ago, a report of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) identified “an existing gap in senior cycle education in the area of social and political sciences and in the area of philosophy”. Since then, the Leaving Certificate subject of politics and society has been introduced – it is 10 years old this year. But hopes of a philosophy course have been dashed.

Yes, an optional Junior Cycle short course in the subject was created but very few schools offer it. Out of 722 post-primary schools in the State, just 15 ran the philosophy short course last year. This was down from 24 schools the previous year.

Philosophy is taught at secondary level in a number of European countries, including France and Germany, and has been shown in studies to boost overall academic performance. More importantly, preparing young people to be independent thinkers capable of distinguishing between truth and bulls**t is an essential goal of education – and no other subject rises to the task better than philosophy.

Or as Michael D Higgins once put it: “The teaching of philosophy is one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal to empower children into acting as free and responsible subjects in an ever more complex, interconnected and uncertain world.”

During his two terms as president, Higgins repeatedly........

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