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An introduction to the world of big questions and how philosophers use their minds to explore the world.
Imagine you found a secret door in your mind that leads to a world where there are no 'wrong' answers, only deeper and deeper questions. What if the most important thing you could do today was simply wonder 'Why?'
The word philosophy sounds fancy, but it comes from two simple Greek words. The first part, Philo, means love. The second part, Sophia, means wisdom. So, a philosopher is literally a 'lover of wisdom.'
Being a philosopher doesn't mean you know everything. In fact, it's the opposite! Philosophers are people who realize there is always more to learn. They use their minds like explorers to travel through ideas. Instead of looking for a quick answer, they look for a deeper understanding of how the world works and how we should live in it.
Quick Check
If 'Philo' means love and 'Sophia' means wisdom, what is the literal definition of a philosopher?
Answer
A lover of wisdom.
Philosophers love questions, but they focus on a specific kind. We can split questions into two groups: Small Questions and Big Questions.
Small Questions usually have one right answer that you can look up in a book or on Google. For example, 'What is ?' has exactly one answer: .
Big Questions are different. They are about ideas like fairness, beauty, or the mind. They don't have one simple answer. Instead, they require us to think, argue, and wonder. A big question might be, 'What does it mean to be a good friend?'
Let's look at two questions and see which is which: 1. Question A: 'How many legs does a spider have?' This is a Small Question because we can count them: . 2. Question B: 'Is it ever okay to break a rule?' This is a Big Question because different people have different ideas about it, and it requires deep thinking.
Quick Check
Is the question 'What time does school start?' a Big Question or a Small Question?
Answer
It is a Small Question because it has one factual answer.
The most important tool a philosopher has is curiosity. Curiosity is like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Philosophers ask 'Why?' about things most people take for granted.
They might ask: 'Why do we have names?' or 'Can a robot ever have feelings?' By being curious, philosophers help us see the world in new ways. They remind us that the world is full of mysteries waiting to be explored by our minds.
You can turn a small observation into a big philosophical journey by asking 'Why?' multiple times: 1. I am wearing a school uniform. 2. Why? Because it is the rule. 3. Why do we have rules? To keep things fair. 4. What is fairness? (Now you are doing philosophy!)
Try to define 'Happiness' without using the word 'happy.' 1. Is happiness a feeling in your body? 2. Is it getting what you want? 3. If you have toys but no friends, are you happy? Notice how one question leads to many more!
What are the two Greek words that make up 'Philosophy'?
Which of these is a 'Big Question'?
Philosophers believe they already know all the answers to the world's problems.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to remember the two Greek words that make up the word 'Philosophy' and what they mean.
Practice Activity
At dinner tonight, ask your family one 'Big Question' that doesn't have a single right answer and see what everyone thinks!