Rationality, self-esteem and autonomy through collaborative enquiry

The need to develop reasoning skills in children through discussion is generally acknowledged by curriculum aims. There is, however, a lack of any definite teaching strategy to fulfil this need. Matthew Lipman's Philosophy for Children programme has had success in this area. As with other 'collaborative enquiry-based' approaches to learning, it depends upon a teaching strategy which enhances children's self-esteem. This seems a necessary ingredient for the development of rationality, critical awareness and autonomy in children. Inadequate teacher training is suggested as a major reason for the failure of 'collaborative' approaches greatly to influence educational practice. With a shift away from the 'authority/knowledge-based' paradigm and the provision of effective teacher training, it is considered that our educational institutions could become more democratically organised, and we would move closer to realising the liberal ideal of developing human potential to the full.