Why Philosophy Matters in Education: Lessons from France

In France, almost all high school students have to take a very long test called a philosophy exam that lasts four hours.

Philosophy is the study of big questions like 'What is true?'

and 'Why do we have rules?'

This year, students had to think about a piece of writing by a famous thinker named Friedrich Nietzsche.

He wrote about how knowledge can change, how people create their own ideas about right and wrong, and why it is important to ask questions.

The French education leader, Édouard Geffray, said the test shows that France wants children to listen to different ideas before making up their own minds.

But in some countries, children are taught to accept ideas instead of asking questions about them, and the article says this can be dangerous.

We need wise leaders who think deeply about life, says the writer.

A very old Greek thinker named Socrates said that a life without questions is not worth living.

The article says even young children ask big questions, like where people go when they die.

That is why the writer thinks everyone should study philosophy and schools should let children think for themselves.