Socratizing With Bethpage High School
“the most philosophical school in America”’s philosophy club is given the chance to join a Socrates Cafe.
The Philosophy Club of Bethpage High School in Bethpage, New York — named “The Most Philosophical School in America” — had the opportunity to engage in a philosophical discussion with Christopher Phillips, author of Socrates Café. Phillips’ book was the inspiration for both Friday discussion circles in philosophy class, and the Philosophy Club.
In the mid-1990s Dr. Phillips started traveling around the country to bring philosophy back to the people — much like Socrates did when he stood in the public square in Athens and challenged people’s ideas. Dr. Phillips held discussions in schools, coffee houses, jails, senior citizen homes, etc. and these experiences led him to write his best selling book.
The Philosophy Club was invited to meet in Washington Square Park on two different dates to engage in a discussion with people from all over the city, the country, and the world — there were people from as far away as Spain! For the first discussion (which ended up being held in a coffee lounge because of the rain) the discussion revolved around the question, “Why is it so difficult to live in the now?”
For the second Socrates Café the question was “Do we appreciate what we have — why or why not?” At first the participants didn’t know how to approach the question and started exploring what it meant to appreciate what they have, but so many other questions came to mind. What do I have? What do other people have? Should I be comparing myself to others? What does “appreciate” mean to me? Do I have to show appreciation in order to actually appreciate?
Everyone had a unique view on the topic. Although not everyone agreed with everything that was said, everyone, as promised by Chris, left with more questions than answers.
Written by Wendy Way, director of the Bethpage High School Philosophy Club at the time of original publication.
