Lesson plan of Modern and Contemporary Philosophy

Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Provide an overview of modern and contemporary philosophy, explaining the historical context that shaped these philosophical periods.

2. Identify and discuss the main currents of thought and philosophers who stood out in modern and contemporary philosophy, such as Descartes, Kant, Nietzsche and Foucault.

3. Analyze the main concepts and ideas proposed by these philosophers, promoting a deeper understanding of modern and contemporary philosophy and how these thoughts influence the current world. 

Secondary Objectives:

• Promote the development of students' critical thinking, encouraging them to question, analyze, and reflect on the ideas discussed.

• Stimulate the active participation of students, encouraging them to share their own interpretations and understandings on the topics covered.

• Provide a dynamic and interactive learning environment, using varied didactic resources, such as videos, texts and group discussions, to make the content more attractive and understandable.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Review of fundamental concepts:

   • Before entering modern and contemporary philosophy, the teacher can start the class by reviewing fundamental concepts of ancient and medieval philosophy, such as empiricism, rationalism, among others, which are essential for understanding the topic of the current class. (3 - 4 minutes)

2. Problem situations:

   • First situation: The teacher can raise a question on how the scientific revolution of the 17th century influenced philosophical thought, leading to the emergence of modern philosophy. (2 - 3 minutes)
   • Second situation: Then, a problem can be proposed on how the social, political, and technological changes of the 19th and 20th centuries gave rise to contemporary philosophy. (2 - 3 minutes)

3. Contextualization of the subject's importance:

   • The teacher should emphasize the relevance of modern and contemporary philosophy, explaining how these currents of thought influenced and continue to influence different aspects of society, such as science, politics, art and morality. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. Introduction of the topic with curiosities/stories:

   • First curiosity: The teacher can tell how René Descartes, one of the main modern philosophers, developed some of his theories while serving in the army, using an empty greenhouse as his “thought laboratory”. (1 - 2 minutes)
   • Second curiosity: Then, he can mention Nietzsche's famous statement “God is dead”, explaining that this phrase was not a denial of God's existence, but a criticism of the growing secularization of society. (1 - 2 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity 1: Philosophical Board Game (10 - 12 minutes)

   • Preparation: The teacher will have previously prepared a board game in which each space represents a specific philosopher or philosophical movement of modern and contemporary philosophy. Each space on the board will have a brief statement related to the philosopher or philosophical movement it represents.

   • Division of groups: Students will be divided into groups of up to five people. Each group will have a pawn to move on the board.

   • Game rules: Students will roll a die to determine how many spaces to advance on the board. When landing on a space, they will have to identify the philosopher or philosophical movement represented and briefly explain the idea or concept associated with it, based on the statement in the space.

   • Evaluation: Students will be evaluated for the accuracy and clarity of their answers. The teacher can give immediate feedback, correcting any misunderstandings and deepening the discussion on the topic.

   • Objective: This activity aims to reinforce students' knowledge about the main philosophers and movements of modern and contemporary philosophy, in a playful and interactive way.

2. Activity 2: Philosophical Debate (10 - 12 minutes)

   • Preparation: The teacher will present the students with two or three current controversial questions, such as the ethics of artificial intelligence, freedom of expression on social networks, or the climate crisis.

   • Division of groups: Students, still in their groups, will choose one of the questions and will be assigned to defend a point of view, based on the ideas of a modern or contemporary philosopher.

   • Research and preparation: Each group will have a few minutes to research and prepare their arguments, using the ideas of the chosen philosopher. They can use their smartphones or tablets to do quick research, if necessary.

   • Debate: Then, each group will present their arguments and there will be an open debate, moderated by the teacher.

   • Evaluation: Students will be evaluated for the relevance and depth of their arguments, as well as for their ability to apply philosophical ideas to the chosen contemporary problem.

   • Objective: This activity aims to develop students' critical thinking, as well as their ability to apply philosophical concepts to contemporary issues in a reflexive and articulate way.

3. Activity 3: Creation of a Philosophical Thought (5 - 6 minutes)

   • Instruction: The teacher will ask each student, individually, to create a philosophical thought of their own, based on everything that was learned and discussed during the class.

   • Time to think: Students will have a few minutes to reflect and write down their thought on a piece of paper.

   • Sharing: Then, those who feel comfortable may share their philosophical thought with the class.

   • Evaluation: The teacher can praise the originality and reflection present in students' philosophical thoughts, reinforcing that philosophy is a living and constantly evolving discipline.

   • Objective: This activity aims to stimulate students' creativity, encourage them to think independently, and appropriate the acquired knowledge in a personal and meaningful way.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Sharing of Solutions (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher invites each group to briefly share their solutions or conclusions to the debates held during activity 2. Each group will have up to 1 minute to present their ideas, fostering a collaborative and participatory learning environment.

2. Connection to Theory (2 - 3 minutes)

   • After the presentations, the teacher can highlight how the ideas and arguments presented by the students are aligned with the theoretical concepts of modern and contemporary philosophy discussed during the class. This will allow students to perceive the applicability and relevance of the theory in contemporary issues.

3. Final Reflection (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher proposes that each student reflect individually on the following questions and then share their answers with the class:

     1. What was the most important concept learned today? (1 - 2 minutes)
     2. What questions have not yet been answered? (1 - 2 minutes)

   • These questions aim to encourage students to consolidate the acquired knowledge, identify areas that need further study or clarification and reflect on the learning process.

4. Feedback and Closure (1 minute)

   • The teacher thanks everyone for their participation, provides general feedback on the class, and ends the session, reminding students of the importance of reviewing the material and continuing the reflection after class.

The purpose of this feedback is to ensure that students have absorbed the content presented, assess their understanding of the subject, and provide a moment for reflection on the learning. In addition, it also serves as an opportunity for the teacher to identify any questions or difficulties that need to be addressed in future classes.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summary of Contents (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher recapitulates the main points covered during the class, including the main philosophers and movements of modern and contemporary philosophy, the ideas and concepts that define these periods and how they influenced and continue to influence the current world.
   • He can do this interactively, asking students to recall and mention the key points they learned.

2. Connection of Theory to Practice (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher highlights how the activities carried out during the class, such as the Philosophical Board Game and the Philosophical Debate, allowed students to apply the theoretical concepts to practical situations and contemporary issues.
   • He reinforces the importance of this process for the development of critical thinking and deep understanding of philosophy.

3. Extra Materials (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher suggests additional reading and study materials to deepen students' understanding of modern and contemporary philosophy. These may include philosophical texts, videos, podcasts, or educational websites.
   • He may also suggest homework assignments, such as reading a text by a philosopher discussed during the class and writing a brief reflection on it.

4. Importance of the Subject (1 minute)

   • Finally, the teacher emphasizes the relevance of modern and contemporary philosophy to students' everyday lives, citing concrete examples of how the concepts discussed can be applied in various situations, from making ethical decisions to understanding and criticizing political and media discourses.

This conclusion is designed to consolidate students' learning, reinforce the connection between theory and practice, and encourage continued self-study of the subject. In addition, by highlighting the relevance of modern and contemporary philosophy, the teacher helps to inspire students' interest and curiosity, encouraging them to explore this fascinating field of study more deeply.