Education: Philosophy

Debate between Baroness Barran and Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve

Tuesday 1st November 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Barran (Con)]

I could not agree more with my noble friend.

[Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve (CB)]

My Lords, I think I have an interest to declare as the only surviving professional philosopher in the House. When I joined your Lordships’ House there were four of us, but the others are no longer with us. So much for the interest. My question is: does the Minister think that what we might call the A-levelisation of philosophy teaching in schools has, on balance, been beneficial, or not?

[Baroness Barran (Con)]

If the House will forgive me, I am not sure I am entirely familiar with the term “A-levelisation”, but what I do know is that many more students are studying philosophy—almost twice as many in our universities—than are taking the A-level, so whatever we are doing at A-level is equipping our students to choose philosophy as an option later on.