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In memoriam: Dr Alan Saunders, FAPSA Patron

FAPSA is shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Dr Alan Saunders, Patron of FAPSA and well-known philosopher and broadcaster, who died of pneumonia in hospital on 15th June 2012. Alan served as Patron of FAPSA since early 2011. He delivered the keynote address at the VAPS Conference ‘Dare to Think’ in June 2011. [...]

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Philosothon

The Philosothon is an event that encourages high school students to investigate ethical and other philosophical questions in the context of ‘communities of inquiry’. See our Philosothon page for more information.

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National Curriculum

There is a strong case for including Philosophy in the Australian National Curriculum. Philosophy will make a pre-eminent contribution to students’ general capabilities. Philosophy education promotes critical thinking, insightful questioning, reasoned argument, metacognitive reflection and problem-solving skills, as well as improving students’ social competence and self-management. Read our argument in full in Philosophy in the [...]

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Teaching Ethics in Schools

Philip Cam, ACER Press, 2012 Teaching Ethics in Schools provides a fresh approach to to moral education based on reflection and collaborative enquiry. It demonstrates how an ethics-based model can stimulate ethical enquiry, influence habits of mind  and encourage students to develop good moral judgement. The book draws on the history of philosophy in succinct terms and relates this to contemporary school contexts, while including an array of activities, [...]

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Sophia’s Question & Teacher Resource Book

Philip Cam (Hale & Iremonger, 2011) Sophia’s Question is a philosophical novel that is a stimulus for thought on topics such as freedom, fairness, and friendship—topics which are supplemented by accessible introductions to intellectual tools such as open questions, good reasons, careful distinctions and proficient reasoning—all woven into the fabric of the novel to support deep [...]

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Discussions in Science

By Tim Sprod, Chair of the Association for Philosophy in Tasmanian Schools, past Chair of the Federation of Australasian Philosophy in Schools Associations, and past Secretary of the International Council of Philosophical Inquiry with Children. Aimed at science teachers of children ages 10-14, this book contains 18 stories that can be used to initiate a [...]