Philosophy for citizens. Why does democracy need Philosophy.

Abstract

Historically, education has been linked to people’s socialization and to the inclusion and integration of individuals in the community. However, in our society, where the community is not homogeneous, there are conflicts of values and it is less clear what is necessary to maintain or to transmit. Education must become education “to think”: the so-called democratic societies need “citizens” who participate critically and creatively in the construction and management of the community.
Democracy requires participation and participation requires some practice. People can not participate without information, but they need also being involve in a critical and creative research for good reasons which sustain their opinions and for the consequences of their actions. Philosophy –being understood as an activity, as a research process– can help people to become more thoughtful, more critical, and more autonomous, through the development of thinking skills.