Beginning in grade eight or nine we incorporate philosophy into our studies. Right now I'm reading Anderwelten with Jonathan and Charlotte. I found this fascinating book in a small independent bookstore -- a wonderful, a wonderful bookstore by the way -- in Vienna this summer. My former colleague Vittorio Hösle from Notre Dame wrote the introduction to the book. Unfortunately, this book has not been translated into English. It is a great introduction to philosophy by means of a story revolving around two children that are spending their summer vacation at their grandparents' house in the Black Forest. The grandfather is a retired philosophy teacher, but there is also an unusual book the children find in a chest in the attic that helps them to enter into the world of philosophy and encourages them to think and see things differently from what they had been used to. The book is a mix of philosophy, reflections of parents and grandparents, and summer vacation events. It is recommended for ages 11 and up, but I think 14 and up would be better. By the way, Peter made it back from Denver safely last night, nobody else got sick, and we have been enjoying (?) some really hot weather. Kind of strange to see bare trees and walk around in summer clothes.
Ab der achten oder neunten Klasse versuche ich, Philosophie bei unseren Studien mitzuberücksichtigen. Im Moment lese ich mit Jonathan und Charlotte Anderwelten. Dieses Buch habe ich in einer wunderbaren kleinen Buchhandlung in Wien entdeckt. Das Vorwort des Buches hat mein ehemaliger Kollege aus meinen Zeiten bei Notre Dame geschrieben, Vittorio Hössle. Anderwelten gefällt mir als Einführung in die Philosophie viel besser als Sophies Welt. Auf dem Buchdeckel von Anderwelten liest man folgendes:
Phil und Feli verbringen ihre Ferien bei den Großeltern. Dort gibt es keinen Fernseher oder Computer, dafür aber ein geheimnisvolles Buch voller Geschichten und Rätsel, für deren Lösung man nicht mehr braucht als seinen Verstand. Den mutig zu gebrauchen ist die Voraussetzung augeklärten Philosophierens.
Das Buch bietet eine interessante Mischung aus philosophischen Betrachtungen des Großvaters, eines pensionierten Philosophielehrers, Gedanken der Eltern und Großeltern und Entdeckungen der Kinder Phil und Feli. Es ist ab 11 Jahren empfohlen, doch finde ich, daß es ab 14 Jahren besser zu verstehen ist.
Peter ist gestern abend aus Denver wiedergekommen. Dort hat es geschneit, hier ist es sehr heiß, so heiß, daß es nicht mehr schön für Oktober ist. Die Blätter sind fast alle von den Bäumen, aber man läuft in kurzen Kleidern herum. Nach Floras Episode ist niemand mehr krank geworden! Das hat mich doch sehr erleichtert.
Sophies Welt hat mir auch nicht gut gefallen muss ich sagen. Das von Dir vorgeschlagene Buch kenne ich nicht, es scheint aber interessant zu sein.
ReplyDeleteUnglaublich was für Wetterunterschiede ihr habt. Habt ihr wenigstens Indian Summer? Ich verstehe was Du meinst, man möchte nicht im Oktober noch Hochsommertemperaturen haben. Ich bin auch froh dass es hier herbstlich wird aber das liegt auch daran dass ich den Herbst liebe. :-) Auch wenn dann wieder die Krankheitswellen vermehrt auftreten.
Liebe Grüße
Wir fanden "Sophies Welt" zu flappsig im Ton und Sophie zu eigenartig, vielleicht typisch skandinavisch? "Anderwelten" ist ganz anders und sowohl für Erwachsene als auch für Jugendliche gut zu verstehen.
DeleteDer "Indian Summer" ist eigentlich vorbei, dazu gehören schon doch mehr Blätter an die Bäume. Ja, ich hoffe, daß wir einigermaßen gesund bleiben. Durch das College schleppt man sich oft dumme Grippen oder Erkältungen ein.
that sounds like a very nice book. morgana read _sophie's world_ (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10959.Sophie_s_World) which sounds like a nice complement to your book. i think it was translated from the norwegian. isn't it wonderful to find stimulating bookstores and stumble over a book from which one can learn so much?
ReplyDeletei hadn't realized that peter was traveling again! of course it would be when julius finds a skunk and flora loses her cookies in the car :) that always happens when greg goes away too. our last episode was out on montauk with morgana and chanda . . i walked jack outside along the edge of the property i've been walking him along for years . . only this year we were attacked by deer ticks! morgana had to pick them off me one by one (she says she took off 15 of them, hard to imagine i know) and then i took a shower and then gave jack a bath . . and finally got him the frontline medication which has now given him a rash . . yeah, greg wasn't around for that fun time. for the rest of the visit we walked along the driveway into the street . . which was a bit unnerving when a car would pass as there were no sidewalks and jack does not BUDGE. he ambles. dreadfully slowly.
i hope you enjoyed cooler weather today (tuesday)? monday was very warm and humid for us also.
We started "Sophie's World," but Jonathan did not like it at all. He thought Sophie was too strange and irreverent. "Anderwelten" is much better. My former colleague, Vittorio Hössle, has also written a philosophy book for children, which will be the next one we want to read. It's called "The Dead Philosopher's Café." (The original is also in German). This one is based on an exchange between Vittorio Hössle and a real girl, named Nora. (She is grown up by now). I found many interesting books in that tiny bookstore, what a treasure trove!
DeleteYes, he will be traveling three times this semester. The next time will be California! I remember the tick episode, but I didn't know about the medicine and the rash. Poor Jack and poor you. I bet Greg was glad he wasn't there. Does Jack still hear the cars or does he just not care when they come?
yes, it's now wednesday . . i'm shutting this computer down now and going to sleep! hope you are sleeping already.
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm still grading exams and lab manuals . . .
Deleteoh, dear. i hope it didn't take too long. there's no rest for the weary ;O sending a big hug.
DeleteUntil two o'clock in the morning . . .
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