Exploring values in philosophy

‘The unexamined life is not worth living.’

Socrates in Plato’s Apology

‘He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata’ (whakatauki).

Philosophers are interested in what is worthwhile, in exploring values. This means that, in philosophy, students naturally engage in the exploring and critiquing of values that is envisaged by The New Zealand Curriculum.

This might mean, for example:

Excellence

Students will engage in asking the hard questions, reasoning with rigour, being open-minded, applying insights with practical wisdom. They might ask, for example:

• What is the best thing I can do with my life?
• Am I a sloppy thinker?
• Am I listening to other points of view and considering different perspectives?
• Am I acting in accordance with my best insights?

Innovation, inquiry, and curiosity

Students will engage in thinking creatively and thinking up new ideas, asking deeper questions, searching for new clues. They might ask, for example:

• Am I satisfied with the stock answers?
• Will I make a habit of searching for new ways of thinking and linking ideas?
• Are the sources of information in the media reliable?

Diversity

Students will engage in appreciating a diverse range of perspectives in following a line of inquiry, examining the intellectual contributions of different cultural traditions. They might ask, for example:

• How can I find out about and explore the range of cultural beliefs, values, and practices found in Aotearoa New Zealand, starting with my own?
• How can we explore Islamic, Indian, Chinese, or European thought?
• How can we explore different forms of expression and different ways of relating to the natural world (for example, those of tangata whenua and of Pasifika, European, and Asian peoples)?

Equity

Students will consider the concepts of fairness, justice, and equity, and how they are understood and applied in Aotearoa New Zealand. They might ask, for example:

• How can the resources and wealth of Aotearoa New Zealand be distributed in a fair, just, and equitable manner to enhance opportunities for all?

Community and participation

Students will actively involve themselves in discussing ideas and asking questions that affect the community, for example:

• What important concepts are relevant to such current issues as crime and punishment or revitalisation of te reo vs learning of international languages?

Ecological sustainability

Students will examine conclusions reached on the basis of current theories and data. For example, they might ask:

• How conclusive is the scientific evidence for or against climate change?
• Am I responsible for the impacts of my actions on the future ecology of our planet?

Integrity

Students will ask honest questions and articulate and communicate ideas with intellectual integrity. They might ask, for example:

• Am I committed to searching for the truth and being honest in my communication with others?

Respect

Students will respect the rights of others to have opinions, while reserving the right to question their ideas. They might ask, for example:

• Why should I respect other people and uphold their mana when I disagree with their arguments and positions?

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Last updated October 24, 2011

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