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November 18th • Critical Thinking & Logic

World Philosophy Day

World Philosophy Day was introduced by UNESCO in 2002 to honour philosophical reflection and the importance of critical thinking in the modern world. Today, we debate the role of philosophy in AI development, the balance between logic and emotion in decision-making, and what constitutes the best way to live. Is philosophy still relevant in an age dominated by science and technology?

A classic stone statue of a philosopher in a thoughtful pose

Speaking Discussion

  • Do you think that philosophy is a useful subject to study in the 21st century? How can it help us navigate modern life?
  • In your opinion, should logic always prevail over emotion when making important decisions? Why or why not?
  • How much of a role should ethical philosophy play in the development of Artificial Intelligence and autonomous systems?
  • If you had to summarise your personal philosophy of life in just three sentences, what would they be?
  • Do you think that some questions are simply unanswerable by science? What role does philosophy play in exploring these mysteries?
  • How can we encourage more critical thinking and philosophical reflection in our daily lives and in our education systems?

Activity 1: The dilemma Debate

The Task: You are a Philosopher. You have been presented with a classic ethical dilemma (e.g., the trolley problem).

What is your choice, and what is the logical reasoning behind it?

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

  • "The most important question in life is..."
  • "I think logic is..."
  • "In my opinion, the meaning of life is..."