Contextualization

Philosophy, a word of Greek origin meaning "love of wisdom," is a discipline that examines fundamental questions about existence, reality, truth, ethics, mind, and language. Through the study of Philosophy, students acquire a critical approach to the knowledge we take for granted and develop skills in analytical, critical, and abstract thinking.

Philosophy is widely applied to the studies of society, government, mathematics, science, and art. Understanding philosophy helps us better grasp the logic behind ideas and theories in many areas of knowledge.

Philosophy is not limited to a theoretical field of study but has practical implications in our daily lives. Often, we face ethical and moral dilemmas, make choices, and decisions based on our fundamental convictions, and all these actions are influenced by our philosophical ideas, often unconsciously.

Philosophy is also the foundation of science, democracy, human rights, and many other aspects of modern society. Understanding the concept of Philosophy helps us comprehend the roots of our world and consciously shape our society and our future.

From the knowledge of the fundamental principles of Philosophy to the application of these principles to real-world problems, this project aims to provide a comprehensive and practical experience to learn and apply Philosophy, thereby developing a more critical and reflective personal perspective.

I suggest the following resources as supporting material to deepen your knowledge and debates:

• Book "History of Philosophy," by Julian Marias. São Paulo: Editora Martins Fontes, 2004.
• BBC Radio 4 Channel: "In Our Time: Philosophy." Available at: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01f0vzr
• Site "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy," available at: plato.stanford.edu
• Site "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy," available at: www.iep.utm.edu

Practical Activity: Philosophical Dialogues - Understanding and Reflecting on the Concept of Philosophy

Project Objective

The proposal includes the creation and presentation of a "Philosophical Dialogue," where students will enact a conversation between selected philosophers from different eras, encompassing key topics such as the nature of Philosophy, ethics, existence, reality, mind, and language. The activity aims to stimulate research, critical analysis, argumentation, and collaboration among group members, as well as strengthen oral communication, writing, and body expression skills. The activity is expected to be completed in approximately 12 to 15 hours per student.

Detailed Project Description

Necessary Materials

• Books and/or digital Philosophy content for research.
• Notebook for notes.
• Writing materials (pencils, pens, markers, etc).
• Clothing and accessories for characterization, as needed.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Group Formation: Each working group should consist of 3 to 5 students.

2. Selection of Philosophers: Each group should select two to four philosophers from different eras for the dialogue composition. We recommend choosing philosophers with contrasting or complementary theories.

3. Research and Study: It is up to the group to thoroughly research the life, work, and main theories of each chosen philosopher. This study should go beyond superficial knowledge, addressing historical, cultural, and social contexts related to the formation of their theories.

4. Dialogue Creation: The dialogue should be constructed in a way that highlights the main points of each philosopher, exploring the confrontation and/or complementarity of ideas and theories. The dialogue should not be a simple exchange of famous phrases but rather built to demonstrate a deep understanding of philosophical theories.

5. Script and Performance: Once the dialogue is constructed, the group should prepare a script for the presentation. The performance may include scenic elements such as costumes, props, and setting, but the most important aspect is the expressiveness and clarity in presenting philosophical ideas.

6. Presentation: Each group will present the dialogue to the class and the teacher. The presentation should be recorded for later evaluation.

Project Deliverables

1. Written Report: At the end of the project, each group should prepare a report detailing the entire process, from the selection of philosophers, research conducted, dialogue creation process, script preparation, and reflections on the experience. This document will be evaluated considering the following topics:

   • Introduction: Project contextualization, theme relevance, and objectives.
   • Development: Detailed description of the activity implementation, including the choice of philosophers, research conducted, dialogue elaboration, and presentation preparation. It should also include a discussion on the obtained results.
   • Conclusions: Critical reflection on the experience, lessons learned, and how this experience contributed to a greater understanding and reflection on Philosophy.
   • Bibliography: References of materials and sources used.

2. Presentation Video: The video of the dialogue presentation will be a practical evidence of the research, analysis, synthesis, and oral expression work carried out by the students.

It is expected that with this project, students not only acquire a deeper knowledge of philosophers and their theories but also manage to relate these concepts to the current context and their own experiences, strengthening critical thinking, reflection, argumentation, and expression skills.