Resources
For teachers and students
Starter Packs
The starter packs provide instructions to an array of philosophical topics. Each starter pack also includes material from around the web, including videos, memes, and articles, to provide additional information about the topic. They are a great place to go as a first step for a research project, or just when you want to explore a new idea!
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Critical Thinking
What is critical thinking, and how can you become a better critical thinker?
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Environmental Ethics
Considers the relationships between humans, non-human animals, and the environment.
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Existentialism
Explores the philosophical movement that began in the nineteenth century and emphasized the freedom and creativity of the individual.
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Feminist Philosophy
Explores how issues surrounding gender, sexuality, and social structures should be reframed and analyzed from a more egalitarian perspective.
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Marxism
Discusses Karl Marx’s critique of the capitalist economic system.
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Metaphysics
Looks at the basic philosophical questions of what actually exits and what being is.
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Modern Political Philosophy
Compares the political systems of the state of nature theorists.
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Moral Psychology
How do we become moral people? I’m sure you didn’t leave the hospital after you were born knowing exactly what decision to make in every situation, and if you did, you should definitely win some sort of award for that, or maybe you’re an Avenger🦸. In either case, good for you, but for the rest […]
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Natural Law Theory
Explores the theory that social laws can be derived from laws of nature.
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Normative Ethical Theory
What makes an action good or bad? This resource explores ways to approach this question and other ethical decisions.
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Philosophical Canon
This resource looks at what determines the core group of texts in philosophy and challenges to that system.
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Philosophy Foundations
A great place to go if philosophy is new to you and you want to know what it is and what kinds of questions philosophers ask.
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Philosophy of Art
This resource examines what makes something a work of art and what role art has in the world.
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Philosophy of Criminal Justice
This resource talks about how criminal justice ties into philosophy. It covers a wide array topics asking questions like “What should be illegal?”
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Philosophy of Education
Explores philosophies of education and teaching. This is a great place to look for why we are expected to learn the way we are and how that differs from other cultures.
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Philosophy of Language
Examines the nature of language and how the words we say have any relation to what we mean.
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Philosophy of Law
Imagine a world without any laws. What would it look like? Chaos? ‒ or would we still have order? Would we still know right from wrong? Would life be more or less predictable? How would disputes be handled? Would we still have personal rights and freedoms? Would we protect each other or only ourselves? What […]
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Philosophy of Mind
Where is your mind? No, I don’t mean to ask if it has wandered off. I’m getting deep here. Is it a part of your body? Does it exist in your brain? Is it a completely separate entity? What even is a mind? Many philosophers who study the mind argue that the mind controls our […]
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Philosophy of Race
Examines the concept of race and how different philosophers throughout history have grappled with it.
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Philosophy of Sport
Are you a fan of sports of all ages? This starter pack discusses how sports can benefit anyone and how to know what a sport is.
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Philosophy of the Self
Discusses the question of personal identity and the many views where a person’s identity lies, but also the arguments against personal identity.
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Philosophy of Time
“Do you know what time it is?” ⏳ No, really. Do you? Does anyone, really? Humans tend to have certain intuitions (or gut senses) regarding the nature of time, including the idea that the past is done and over with and the idea the future is open to change. A lot of people tend to […]
Additional Resources
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Doing Philosophy in a Pre-College Setting
This packet includes information on where to find philosophy, how to read philosophical texts, how to start a philosophy club, how to search for a philosophy program in college, and much more.
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Feedback Survey
We want to know how engaging and impactful you found our starter packs so that we can continue to improve! Please take the short survey after you visit a starter pack and provide your feedback!
Teacher Resources
Below are various resources for teachers with ways to implement philosophy learning into their classrooms.
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The Community of Philosophical Inquiry -- Teacher Guide
Examines a model of discussion where students are all equal participants.
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Implementing Philosophy into the High School Curriculum -- Teacher Guide
A guide for integrating philosophical education into core curriculum classes.
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Myths about Philosophy-- Teacher Guide
Challenges common misconceptions about philosophy and philosophers.
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Traditional vs. Learner-Centered Education -- Teacher Guide
Compares two models of education and highlights the value of the dialogical in philosophical education.
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Why Philosophy? -- Teacher Guide
Looks at the benefits for students of implementing philosophy into the classroom.
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American Dream Lesson Plan
This lesson plan encourages students to discuss the notion of the American Dream and its connection to capitalism. Please consult the associated PowerPoint.
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Existentialism Lesson Plan
This resource will help facilitate a discussion about existentialist themes.
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Free Will vs. Determinism Lesson Plan
This activity will help facilitate a discussion on Free Will vs Determinism.
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Identity and Oppression Lesson Plan
This resource will help facilitate a discussion on identity and oppression.
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Implicit Bias Lesson Plan
This resource will help facilitate a discussion on implicit bias.
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Medical Ethics Lesson Plan
This resource will help facilitate a discussion on medical ethics.
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Philosophy of Art Lesson Plan
This resource will help facilitate a discussion on the philosophy of language. Also, please consult the PowerPoint as well.
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Philosophy of Education Lesson Plan
This resource will help facilitate a discussion on educational philosophies.
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Philosophy of Language Lesson Plan
Using memes, this resource will help facilitate a discussion on the philosophy of language. Also, please consult the PowerPoint as well.
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External Resource: PLATO’s Philosopher’s Toolkit
This site contains a variety of lesson plans to use to stimulate philosophical discussion among precollege students.
