Teaching Philosophy in the Context of Educational Inequality, Individual Autonomy and Economically Valuable Skills

The study analyzes the teaching of philosophy in the context of such problems as educational inequality, individual autonomy, and the acquisition of economically valuable skills, which, in the author’s opinion, can be overcome or minimized through the implementation of discursive practices. It is stated that teaching philosophy is unlikely to solve the problem of educational inequality, but philosophy classes that stimulate and expand students’ opportunities for discursive self-understanding can help them develop their potential and improve their prospects. It is noted that by becoming acquainted with the practice of discursive self-understanding, students are given the opportunity to free themselves from the limitations of their social, cultural, or religious background, and thereby strengthen their autonomy. It is emphasized that the development of the content, methods, or goals of education solely in accordance with the requirements of economic utility leads to the marginalization of such subjects as philosophy, the economic value of which is not obvious. The author puts forward and substantiates arguments against such discrimination of philosophy as a subject, based on the ideas of the ancient philosopher Aristotle and the American philosopher Martha Nussbaum. The first view sees philosophizing as an expression of true human nature, focusing not on instrumental value but on the assumption that philosophizing, as an intrinsically valuable activity, is an integral part of a successful life. The second view is based on the principle of equal respect, which sets limits on economic thinking and requires that all people be granted an independent moral and political status. This means, in particular, granting them the right to live according to their own ideas about the good, which in turn requires encouraging and empowering people to develop their own views and discursive skills. One subject that can make a significant contribution to this is precisely philosophy.