PAULO FREIRE AND "PHILOSOPHY FOR CHILDREN": CRITICAL DIALOGUE

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to link the concept of educational thinking of Paulo Freire, well-known in Brazil, with the concept of “Philosophy for Children” (P4C) by Matthew Lipman. The interrelation of these concepts is substantiated by analyzing various mutual influences. The paper shows that these interactions are not as obvious as many P4C supporters say, especially in Latin America. The paper is presented in the context of educational policy of the present; it justifies why it is impossible to be a supporter of Freire’s views on education policy and at the same time take a neutral or approving attitude towards the actual state of affairs in the educational sphere. Finally, on the basis of Lipman’s understanding of the relationship between philosophy, education and democracy under capitalism, the paper suggests ways to implement a political discourse of philosophizing with children, inspired by Paulo Freire’s concept of educational thinking. The result is a politico-oriented path of philosophizing with children.