Easy ways to include philosophical thinking in lessons

Knowing chemistry is not enough. Advances in chemical science raise questions with political, social, economic and ethical dimensions, not to mention questions about how chemical knowledge is created. It is essential young people reflect on these questions to develop their scientific literacy. Then, they can use chemistry to make decisions and hold policy-makers to account.

Philosophy is concerned with the search for truth and meaning, and with stimulating people to think and argue for themselves. Introducing a philosophical dimension to school chemistry promotes critical thought, imagination and an appreciation of complexity. It also gives students the opportunity to examine their assumptions and highlight – even play with – uncertainty. Thinking and arguing in pursuit of an unknown has the potential to engage students with chemistry beyond the laboratory.

Dialogue not debate

When doing philosophy, use dialogue rather than debate. Debate favours a competitive approach to winning an argument; to change your mind is to lose. In dialogue there is a search for meaning, and a change of mind represents being convinced by better reasoning. The teacher’s role is to manage the dialogue.

Ending philosophical discussion can be challenging. A lack of immediate resolution can be unsettling, so it is important to emphasise the value in thinking and talking about such questions. Students learn how to persevere, to handle disagreement and uncertainty, and to work together to make sense of difficult ideas. They develop curiosity, humility, flexibility and open-mindedness.

Philosophical dialogue also helps illuminate what the class knows about chemistry, and how secure it is in that knowledge. This information is valuable to teachers beyond the context of philosophical dialogue.

Here are three strategies to incorporate philosophical discussion into chemistry teaching.

1 – Relate chemistry to students’ lives

Although they are constrained by scientific knowledge, you can’t answer philosophical questions using scientific methods. In a chemistry lesson, philosophical questions can be presented by the teacher or created by students in response to a stimulus. Examples include:

• Is everything made of something?
• If you take a medicine to make you happy, are you happy?
• Can a scientist invent a chemical?
• Is the space between particles in a gas part of the gas?
• Is a cook a chemist?

Likewise, playful ponders like ‘if chemistry were a drink, what drink would it be?’ generate discussion that encourages students to examine the nature of chemistry. Analysis of these ideas can inform teachers about how students are making sense of chemistry, and support students to relate chemistry to their lives and the world.

2 – Analyse concepts

Break down what concepts mean and how they are used. One method is to ask students to draw distinctions between related concepts, for example in chemistry:

• Theory and hypothesis
• Knowledge and truth
• A law and a rule
• A risk and a hazard

Another way of examining concepts is to use diagrams such as a Venn diagram or concept quadrant. In a concept quadrant, the central concept is written on the middle of a page or board. This can be any chemical or philosophical concept from a teaching situation or contained in a philosophical question eg bond, rock, metal, safe, or natural. Students identify and discuss synonyms, antonyms, connections and examples.

Examining the similarities and differences between concepts, and highlighting how these differ by degree, kind or relation helps the group to better understand the central concept and how it is used in chemistry and beyond.

3 – Map out thought experiments

A thought experiment involves thinking imaginatively about a situation to identify consequences and arrive at conclusions. These can be drawn out on paper in a consequence map. The problem is written in the centre, and a group of students map out the explanation, solution and consequences. This involves identifying the problem, creating an idea to explain or solve the problem, identifying the implications of the hypothesis (if X is true, then Y) and testing the implications. Through this, students create and consider chains of consequences and consider whether mitigating action might be needed.

Reflecting on the nature of thought experiments after students have attempted one can provoke students to think about the characteristics of concrete experiments. They also present an opportunity to practice, and make explicit, hypothetical reasoning.