This book explores the contribution to education contained in the theoretical work and teaching
practice of Matthew Lipman (1923-2010) and Ann Margaret Sharp (1942-2010). Their long-lasting
cooperation gave rise to the well-known Philosophy for Children (P4C) curriculum which is
nowadays globally widespread. P4C basically relies on the following innovations: firstly the
unprecedented connection between philosophy and childhood secondly the reframing of
philosophy in practical viz. not reductively theoretical terms thirdly the employment of
philosophy to foster democracy and moral capabilities through the development of children's
thoughtfulness and autonomous thinking which would eventually result in empowering children's
social abilities and increasing their self-defence against consumerism propaganda and
manipulation finally the stand against a strictly cognitivist approach to education. More
than just contextualizing these innovations in the coeval historical and social context the
author shows that P4C's revolutionary stance on education relies on the fruitfulness of Lipman
and Sharp's intellectual cooperation and on their manifold abilities as researchers teachers
trainers communicators motivators and community-builders. The book analyzes their
philosophical-educational vision and the scholastic curriculum they developed jointly
additionally it provides a critical appraisal of P4C's achievements as well as of its future
perspectives.
