Should Logic be taught as a mandatory subject at school?

[Dances]

So many people do not know how to think logically. Not even a little. We all get the arguments wrong and not everyone is Aristotle but there are some basics

[Thelnebriati]

Yes, along with philosophy and debating. It would be great if people could link to some good books and websites...

[ScrimpshawTheSecond]

Yes. Critical thinking. Schools are starting to teach a bit of this, my kid has done a little bit, kind of mixed in with internet safety.

[endofthelinefinally]

The concept of reading books and critical thinking would be great.

[BlackForestCake]

But those things are transphobic. Logic and reading will kill trans children.

[endofthelinefinally]

People tend to be rather scornful of media studies, but I think it is really important.

[bishopgiggles]

Critical thinking
Media literacy

Formal logic isn't actually that applicable to a lot of the sort of stuff you might imagine (apart from the very basics and the fallacies)- there are a lot of formulae. Interesting, though!

I promise to teach my offspring the importance of analysing what you read and asking for evidence.

[ScrimpshawTheSecond]

I've taught my kids the basics of cynicism, pedantry and pessimism. Should stand them in good stead.

[Melroses]

@ScrimpshawTheSecond

I've taught my kids the basics of cynicism, pedantry and pessimism. Should stand them in good stead.

I think I may have gone down that route too!

Logic and critical thinking should be part and parcel of understanding all subjects. Otherwise it is just rote.

It is difficult if you have a particularly illogical teacher though and that is why I may have gone down Scrimpshaw's route, along with the concept of scepticism and 'thin end of the wedge'.

[PineappleUpsideDownCake]

There was a fab AS in critical thinking teaching all this. Logical fallacies, structure of an argument etc. But it got axed.

Philosophy or RS will cover this but Id love to see it properly in the curriculum, a bit like theoty of knowledge being part of the bac.

[ThatLockdownLyfe]

That would be amazing.

Just to start with the question "who wrote this and what agenda do they have?" when reading stuff online.

[Goosefoot]

Yes, though I would be very wary of calling it critical thinking.

There are some good home education curriculums for middle school aged kids available for this already. Not all secular but it shows it's possible anyway.

[Whatsnewpussyhat]

The Freedom programme needs to be taught too, especially to teenage girls.

[PineappleUpsideDownCake]

Critical Thinking is a discipline though.

The book Critical Thinking: An Introduction by Alex Fisher is where I'd recommend to start as easily accessible but well written.

[MotherForkinShirtBalls]

@Goosefoot

Yes, though I would be very wary of calling it critical thinking.

There are some good home education curriculums for middle school aged kids available for this already. Not all secular but it shows it's possible anyway.

Could you suggest any, please?

[june2007]

i don,t think logic can be taught. We used to do dibates as part of what is now PSHE. (then pse.) Thats teachers ;logical and critical thinking. Also I did RE which meant debating Christianity and Moral issues so again critical thinking.

[Melia100]

I would have appreciated being taught how to avoid logical fallacies.
It is embarrassing learning how to do it as an adult.

[mightymalties]

@Thelnebriati

Yes, along with philosophy and debating. It would be great if people could link to some good books and websites...

There are some really useful free courses around this:
Futurelearn Logical and Critical Thinking
Several Critical Thinking courses on Coursera

These past few days I've been transcribing some historical texts about what constitutes a "good" education. Logic and critical thinking were a HUGE part of this in times past. So many times I thought to myself "why is this no longer taught in schools???".

[exexpat]

Theory of Knowledge is a compulsory part of the International Baccalaureate (alternative to A-levels).

DD is doing it at the moment, and really enjoying it. Assignments include things like finding an example of pseudoscience used in advertising and breaking down what is wrong with it.

I think something along those lines would be really helpful as a compulsory course for all 6th-formers or 1st-year uni students, of whatever subject.

www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/theory-of-knowledge/what-is-tok/

[Agrona]

But I thought women couldn’t do logic because of our lady brains./s

Reading comprehension, logic, including logical fallacy, and how to debate calmly would be wonderful but could we include how to listen?.

[LastTrainEast]

God yes!
And yes reading comprehension seems to have been neglected a bit.

[NaviSprite]

I’m new to a lot of this, but judging by the circular ‘logic’ I’m mainly getting in response I’d have to say an emphatic yes. I’ve lurked here a long time but honestly felt a bit out of my depth... then I hit my bullshit limit.

[Goosefoot]

Critical Thinking is a discipline though.

Unfortunately what is taught in schools around it is pretty unmitigated crap. It centres around what is presented as the traditional narrative and feeding the students the progressive talking points against it. I'd like to think logic would be less easy to co-opt to mean "whatever the progressive view is."

Maybe it could be kept though, if there was enough of a push. I probably have just become cynical about it.

Could you suggest any, please?

Here is the page for reviews of logic curricula by a homeschool review site - there are quite a few:

cathyduffyreviews.com/homeschool-extras/critical-thinking-logic

[skql]

freedom of speech!

when pp have to fear speaking there's no critical thinking

[Destroyedpeople]

Yes how can you have critical thinking an logic in schools when it is considered evil and 'transphobic' to point out that women don't have penises? And teachers have to back this up?

[grey12]

In Portugal we have Philosophy for 2 years in high school. It's akin to history... you learn about the different philosophers and their ideas. There isn't anything practical about it

I agree critical thinking is good to cover. A good language teacher (portuguese in mu case) will focus on hidden meanings and hidden sociopolitical commentary in texts. Shakespeare is littered with it as are all famous authors' work