Teaching of philosophy and ethics Inquiry

concerning the actual situation in 28 European countries, September 2005

Since more than 30 years the AIPPh (formation in 1974) is systematically involved in the process of understanding, supporting and developing the teaching of philosophy in Europe. This is the moment to bring up a report about the present situation in 28 European countries. The topics were given with questionings in 2000. They were presented at the European symposium in Bonn under the leadership of the German Ministry of Education and Research. Mr. Gert Franzenburg, one of the members of the AIPPh, took the responsibility for the evaluation of the given questionnaires and tabulated the results. In September 2005 the correspondents of the member-countries sent actual reports about teaching of philosophy and ethics and they enclosed further details about their countries. These reports follow the structure and the questions of the inquiry in 2000.

To avoid repetitions in the presentation of the current reports and to make things more readable, we propose to name only the main classifications (from I - IV), neglecting the specific points (1., 2. ...) It might be helpful for understanding and comparing the country's reports when we give the classifications and points with the following:

(Translation: Maria Muck)

Structure

I. Status of the teaching of philosophy and ethics in the relation to the other fields of studies at school

1. In which types of school - Subject in the graduation exam from school

2. Since when has philosophy been being taught?

3. An obligatory or a facultative subject or facultative and obligatory later on?

4. Written exams or tests

5. Are philosophy and ethics alternative subjects?

6. Voluntary working groups to the obligatory subjects

7. Participation in the national and international Philosophy-Olympiad

II. Curricula, instructions, teaching materials

1. Obligatory curricula or syllabus of teaching of philosophy or ethics

2. Obligatory philosophical fields , obligatory philosophers. Philosophical problems

3. Used methods

4. Teaching philosophy based on texts. Used textbooks

5. Are students involved in choosing the subjects

6. Is philosophy taught interdisciplinary?

7. Europe as a unity of common values or epistemology

III. Teacher training

1. Qualified instructors

2. Conditions of becoming a qualified teacher of philosophy

3. Different degrees of qualification

4. Nurnber of semesters

5. Practical training for teachers of philosophy

6. Offered additional fürther training to the teachers

IV Particular remarks

"Philosophy day", Professional associations for teachers of Philosophy

How many universities, and so on.