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The Old Schoolhouse® Lab
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Compiled and edited by Kate Kessler,
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Philosophy adventure
Stacy Farrell
Home School Adventure Co.
www.HomeschoolAdventure.com
In;Philosophy;Adventure,;Stacy;Farrell
helps us explore the history of ideas.
When;I;first;received;the;textbook;and
student;workbook;to;review,;I;was;a
little nervous. Philosophy? The word
brings to mind dusty bookshelves,
deep theological texts, and eyes struggling to stay open under the weight
of;heavy;eyelids.;I;couldn’t;have;been
more wonderfully surprised.
The;book;skillfully;takes;us;through
the lives of eight philosophers: Thales,
Pythagoras, Xenophanes, Heraclitus,
Parmenides, Empedocles, Protagoras,
and;Democritus.;But;the;text;does;far
more than simply recount historical
facts. In the introduction, author Stacy
Farrell shares, “What we learned when
we delved deeply into the study of the
history;of;philosophy;is;too;significant
to sleep through. In fact, the future of
freedom may depend upon how many
of;us;wake;up;to;the;world;of;ideas;and
seek;to;discern;and;defend;truth.”
Why is understanding the history of
philosophy so important? Do any of
these questions sound relevant to life
today?
•;Where did the universe originate?
•;Was the universe created or has it
always existed?
•;What happens to a person when
they die?
•;Is there more to life than the physical body?
•;Is the spirit reincarnated into other
living creatures?
•;How;does;the;character;of;a;group’s
leader impact his followers?
•;Could there be one omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God?
•;Who or what can solve the mysteries
of life?
•;Can;truth;be;known;or;is;all;of;life
an endless string of confusing contradictions?
•;What happens when you try to
blend science and myth?
•;Is;it;possible;to;know;God;exists?
In addition to exploring the historical foundations of ideas that continue
to shape modern thought, author Stacy
Farrell also introduces us to a world
of logical fallacies, teaching us how to
identify;them;and;think;critically;about
the;“facts”;that;are;presented;to;us.
She also shares some interesting
surprises;along;the;way.;Do;you;know
anyone;who;is;skilled;in;arguing;per-
suasively, “without strictly adhering to
the;truth”?;If;so,;you;may;have;Protago-
ras;to;thank.;Do;you;think;the;theory
of natural selection originated with
Charles Darwin and that atomic theory
is a relatively new concept? You may
think;again;after;you;meet;Empedocles
and Democritus.
My;thoughts;on;the;book;wouldn’t
be complete, however, without sharing
with you my favorite part of the curriculum. Despite its careful research,
fascinating ideas, and surprising revelations, my favorite part of the curriculum is the challenge to write creatively
about what you have read.
In Lesson One the author shares,
“
We;can;think;we;know;about;a;sub-ject—until we have to write about it.
Then sometimes, quite suddenly, clar-ity;flees;.;.;.;and;we;are;left;with;vague
ideas;and;half-formed;questions.”;The
study of each philosopher includes an
assignment to creatively write a scene,
based in fact, that further explores an
aspect;of;the;philosopher’s;life;or;teach-ing. Each assignment begins with a
story prompt that sets the stage and an
assignment or question to answer.
Not;only;have;I;found;Stacy;Farrell’s
assertion to be true, that you cannot
truly;know;a;subject;until;you;try;to
write about it, I have found repeatedly
in my life that history—and virtually all
knowledge;and;truth—means;more;to
me when presented as part of a story. A
museum display of an old sword does
not capture my interest until you share
with me the story of the man or woman
who fashioned or carried it.
Thank;you;for;joining;us;in;our;second;annual;print;issue;of;The old schoolhouse® magazine’s Lab! We have selected some wonderful products for you here and we hope you enjoy reading through them!
Blessings;to;you;and;your;family;this;year!
