Area: Math

Introduction to Paradoxes: Superhero, Sorites, and Zeno’s Dichotomy Paradox

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Introduction to Lesson: Today we are going to talk about paradoxes, and we are going to discuss some examples together.   First, what is a paradox? Has anyone heard of paradoxes before? [Invite student responses]. A paradox is a special type of puzzle or riddle. It’s when two things seem to be true at the … Introduction to Paradoxes: Superhero, Sorites, and Zeno’s Dichotomy Paradox

Dream Activity

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Part 1: Have each person think of a dream they’ve had recently. After giving them a moment to think, go around in a circle and have each person share a bit about their dream. (Elementary school students may get exceptionally excited about sharing their dreams and may want to share an enormous amount of detail … Dream Activity

Belief and Knowledge

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Have each person write down on a piece of paper: Once everyone has their statements, then have them pair up to talk about their claims, and why they put them in the category they did. This should get them started on a conversation about the difference between belief and knowledge. Then have the group come … Belief and Knowledge

Are We Living in a Simulation?

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Are We Living in a Simulation, and What Would it Mean if the Answer is Yes? The purpose of this lesson is to explore the nature of reality and how we know whether or not anything is real Begin the lesson with the two short embedded videos to get the students thinking and engaged in … Are We Living in a Simulation?

Reasoning and Arguments

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Photograph of a row of students smiling and engaging in philosophical dialogue in a classroom

Materials needed: Paper, writing utensil Description: First, put these three words on the board: conclusion, premise, argument. Ask the students what these words mean. Often students will need a little guidance here because this is a foreign way of thinking for them. Then give them a very simple argument. For example: P1. If you’re about to … Reasoning and Arguments

Numbers and Reality

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Using the questions in the Discussion Questions tab above, have students answer each question on a sheet of paper. Next, have a discussion around some of the questions. Some students would probably agree with the position in metaphysics that maintains that all real things are real in the same way. This position holds that something … Numbers and Reality