Get philosophising
Curiosity is at the heart of Philosophy Lab. It’s for anyone in schools, institutions, and workplaces who share a curiosity about the big questions in life. Tough puzzles. Deep deliberation. Spirited exchanges. Through collaborative inquiry, you’ll come to understand yourself and others better. You’ll develop core skills in critical thinking. You’ll discover how exciting it is to philosophise.
Fatima, year 5, Redlands Primary
What we do
We structure group discussion around thought experiments. Thought experiments are puzzles beloved of philosophers. They’re a fun way to set about big questions. We analyse the puzzle, draw distinctions, and introduce rival views of some of the great philosophers to frame debate and to stimulate everyone to thoughts of their own.
Chris Evans, Deputy Headmaster, Reading School
What philosophy means to us
Philosophy is not so much a subject to learn as a skill to practise. It gives us ways of reasoning, thinking, and speaking. Philosophy opens minds.
Woody Lewenstein, lead teacher, Kings’ College London Mathematics School
What’s in a lab for you
Labs are innovative. Some of the questions are thousands of years old, but we put a new spin on them. Labs are not easy. You’ll come to the limits of your understanding, and that’s challenging. Labs are risky. You’ll be testing ideas. You’ll also be seeking out objections. We think that’s exciting.
Leonard, year 13, Kings’ College London Mathematics School
Who we are
We are a team of postgraduates and undergraduates led by the founding Director of Philosophy Lab CIC, Geraldine Ng. Philosophy Lab is a non-profit organisation that started as an outreach project in 2015 when she was a PhD student at Reading. We are running labs in several schools. They range from local comprehensives to two outstanding schools – Reading School, a grammar school, and Kings’ College London Mathematics School, a specialist free school.
Woody Lewenstein, lead teacher, Kings’ College London Mathematics School
What makes Philosophy Lab different
Our program puts philosophy to practice and brings ideas to life. In schools, labs spur curiosity about the world we live in and expand young minds. In institutions and workplaces, labs offer an exceptional approach to personal development and team building.
Get involved in the most exciting intellectual adventure. Explore the questions, arguments, and values that matter to you. We'll tailor a set of labs to suit you. Get in touch with us.
Alexander, year 8, Little Heath Comprehensive
Contact
To ask a question, to find out more about our labs, or to book a free trial lab at your school or organisation, get in touch with us.
