Philosophy in English – English in Philosophy

8a 2018

‘Philosophy? What? In English? What?’
Astonishment, curiosity, inquiry, these are basic philosophical skills vital in order to achieve knowledge. Philosophy is the ‘love of wisdom’. This school year, 8a class decided to master their quest getting a little more challenge and additional training. They mainly held the classes in English.

Initially, everybody had to get used to this endeavour. However, finally, there was great ease and we did not even notice we were discussing highly philosophical matters like Bertrand Russel’s Teapot analogy, the Trolley problem, or Plato’s famous Allegory of the Cave. Even some of the presentations held by the students were done in English.

Concluding, we can say, we appreciate the experiment. It was a further step into the world, as for example English has become the international language of science. So we can say, ‘Philosophy, yes, even in English. It works, very well actually!’

Here is one of our quotations:
‘Be not afraid of life. Believe that it is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.’
William James, 1876-1907

Klasse:          8a
Lehrerin:       Mag.a Christine Mitterweissacher