Critical thinking community inquiry

from Philosophy for kids

Teaching children the art of collaborative philosophical inquiry brings them persistent, long-term cognitive benefits, according to psychologists in Scotland.

For me the main issue here is to develop the facility of critical thinking within a community of inquiry. I think a great example of this is in the Tibetan tradition of debate. From a very early age monks spend many hours debating (a form of formalized discussions, not just auguring with each other) after receiving teachings on a particular subject. This all takes place from within a support base that encourages open mindedness, with a strong community of participates willing to hear new ideas as long as they are logically based.

I would like to see Buddhist philosophy included in something like this. Or al least have philosophy classes embrace other traditions than Western ones.