Big Questions: Learning to Ask "Why?"
Have you ever asked: Why is the sky blue? What makes something fair? Do fish have dreams? Those are big, wondering questions, and asking them is called philosophy. Philosophy is a fancy word that just means loving to think and wonder. You do not need to know the answer. The fun part is asking the question and thinking hard about it.
What You'll Learn
- That philosophy means thinking about big questions - The difference between a fact question and a wondering question - That there can be more than one good answer - How to have a friendly think-about-it talk
Two Kinds of Questions
Some questions have one right answer you can look up. How many legs does a spider have? Eight. That is a fact question. Other questions make you stop and think, and people might answer them differently. What makes a friend a good friend? That is a wondering question, and it is what philosophers love most.
With a wondering question, you do not win by being fastest. You do well by giving a reason. Saying because helps everyone understand your thinking.
Give a Reason
The magic word in philosophy is because. If a friend asks, Is it ever okay to break a rule? you might say, Yes, because if a rule tells you to be mean, being kind is more important. You do not have to be right. You just share your thinking and listen to your friend's thinking too. That is how big questions get fun.
Sort each question. Match it to whether it is a fact question or a wondering question.
Terms
Definitions
Drag terms onto their definitions, or click a term then click a definition to match.
Which of these is a wondering question that people might answer in different ways?
Young kids ask why more than almost anyone. That curious why is the start of philosophy. You are already a thinker!
In philosophy, what is the important word that helps you share your thinking?
Flashcards — click each card to reveal the answer
Family Wonder Time
Pick one wondering question, like What makes someone a good friend? Ask two people at home the same question. Draw a picture of each person and write one word from their answer next to them. Then tell which answer surprised you and say your own answer using the word because.
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