Teach Philosophy to Children Right from Elementary School — UI Don

A Professor of African Philosophy, Metaphysics, and Existentialism at the University of Ibadan, Professor Olatunji Alabi Oyeshile has called for the teaching of Philosophy to children right from elementary school in all African societies.

This, according to him, will promote a philosophical attitude, which is a ‘condition sine qua non’ to the survival of human societies.

Professor Oyeshile made the call while delivering the 550th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan on behalf of the Faculty of Arts.

The lecture was entitled “African Philosophy and the Unending Quest.”

Professor Oyeshile stated that a philosophical attitude enables one to be critical in addressing issues, and arriving at rational judgements that will promote the being-in-the-world attitude of global citizens as it will help to reduce the level of prejudice and predilection in daily life.

He said the philosophical attitude will also promote an ethical attitude that will make it possible to internalise and apply such moral concepts as justice, fairness, equity, and other moral notions that are essential for human survival.

Professor Oyeshile recommended further, that, institutions should encourage and embrace critical thinking, that Philosophy education should be reinvigorated as the foundation of all disciplines in our higher institutions because it asks fundamental questions about existence, and that leadership must be about people, just like development must be about people.

He advised that there should be an appreciation of the inherent worth of a person in our society, and institutions should encourage and embrace critical thinking.