Philosophy for Teens: Questioning Life's Big Ideas [Paperback]

Sharon Kaye (Author), Paul Thomson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2006 | Grade Level: 7 and up

Philosophy for Teens: Questioning Life's Big Ideas offers an in-depth, teenager-friendly look at the philosophy behind everyday issues. The authors examine some of life's biggest topics, such as lying, cheating, love, beauty, the role of government, hate, and prejudice, in this casual and engaging book, written directly for and field-tested with teenagers.

Both sides of the debates are covered on every issue, with information from some of the world's most noted philosophers included in a conversational style that teenagers will love. Examining life's big ideas and discovering their own opinions has never been easier or more exciting for today's teens.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Challenging teens to think, this 14-lesson guide introduces major philosophers who have shaped modern Western thought. Explaining the ideas of Plato, Socrates, Aquinas, Locke, Mills, Nietzsche, Sartre, and others through contemporary scenarios, the authors make these great thinkers accessible to teens. Given today's emphasis on mastery of standardized tests, it is important to have material that encourages students to use critical-thinking skills and for which there are no absolute right or wrong answers. The chapters cover Beauty (What is the Purpose of Art?); Truth (Is Lying Always Wrong?), Justice (Who Will Take Care of the Environment?); and God (Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?). They include dramatic skits, background on multiple philosophical views, and challenges to construct "thought experiments," imagining a world in which a single philosophy dominates. Discussion questions, activities, community projects, and further readings accompany each lesson. Teachers can use this resource to generate lively debate or to enrich courses in art, religion, history, science, or literature, but they're sure to miss an index when they want to review what individual philosophers said or the sections in which they were mentioned.—Kathy Lehman, Thomas Dale High School Library, Chester, VA
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About the Author

For the past several years, Sharon M. Kaye, Ph.D., has taught philosophy to high school students through the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers' Program, which won the 2006 American Philosophical Association Award for Excellence and Innovation in Philosophy Programs. She currently serves as professor of philosophy at John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Prufrock Press; 1 edition (September 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593632029
• ISBN-13: 978-1593632021
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful tool for teen discussion, July 1, 2011

By 

E. Snoeyenbos "YA librarian" (Halifax, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Philosophy for Teens: Questioning Life's Big Ideas (Paperback)

I have used this book as a jumping off point for weeks of after school teen discussion. The short real life anecdotes are fun to role play and the explanations and follow up questions have spurred a lot fo great dialogue with my teen groups.