From

a CANVAS Facebook post*******************************************

#Kids Researcher's Diary 1/23 Sun #Workshop #Philosophy　

"Let's Do Philosophy?" (Elementary School Class) in Takeshiba　

(Program provided by: NPO Children’s Philosophy & Adults’ Philosophy Ada-Koda)

https://www.canvas.ws/kenkyujo/report/20220123intakeshiba.php

We held a philosophy workshop (program provided by the NPO Children’s Philosophy & Adults’ Philosophy Ada-Koda)!

What are some everyday “?” (question marks) that everyone can relate to?

The “?” we’d all like to discuss today is a question that’s hard to answer.

I'm going to turn all those "?"s into karuta cards. Let's each make our own philosophy karuta and give it a try.

With Mr. Tobase from Ada Koda serving as the facilitator, you can really feel everyone getting completely drawn in.

First, let's try playing Philosophy Karuta!

The first character I drew was “nu.” The question was… “Why don’t stuffed animals talk?”

Because I'm neither alive nor a machine. Because my mouth is sewn shut.

Because stuffed animals don't have hearts.

"But how can you tell that a stuffed animal doesn't have a heart?"

There's no proof that it doesn't have a heart.

Let's rephrase the question: "Do stuffed animals have a soul?" I don't think they do. After all, they can't move on their own.

"But aren't there things that are alive even though they can't move?"

… (A brief silence) …

That's true… Maybe if I asked the person who made the stuffed animal, I'd find out?

Do stuffed animals really not talk?

I think even objects have feelings, even if they can't speak.

I think they're having a party at night while everyone else is asleep.

I think dolls speak in a language that only other dolls can understand.

It's true—dogs do talk in a language that only other dogs can understand.

——-

I dive down—deep, deep down. It takes less than 10 minutes to get this far.

After that, everyone wrote their own questions on the karuta cards.

"Do (yo)kai not exist?"

"Why are there clouds floating in the sky?"

"Why Do People Die?"

"Why are takoyaki round?"

"Why Is a Crystal Beautiful?"

"Why are there two of them in front?"

"What is a 'ki'?"

There are plenty of others, too.

While some children keep coming up with new questions,

Some children take their time thinking about one thing.

While I was answering the question,

Even when the words flow smoothly, there are times when I suddenly get stuck and have to pause.

A child who doesn't usually speak much in front of others would suddenly lean forward and speak up, or

Some children take their time, explaining each thing very slowly.

The two hours flew by, and I feel like if I’d had more time, I could have kept playing philosophy karuta forever.

It was also impressive to see how, as soon as the workshop ended, they ran over to their parents to show them their philosophy karuta cards.

○ Click below to view the new fiscal year workshops currently accepting registrations:

https://www.canvas.ws/kenkyujo/