Creating a community of inquiry in the Ethics classroom

Abstract

This dissertation, attempts to achieve an understanding on how to cultivate a community of inquiry in the classroom, particularly in the Ethics’ classroom. This study is about the importance of philosophical reasoning, critical thinking skills, creative thinking skills, and how these help children grow without the traditional ‘teaching’ and ‘feeding of knowledge’ that normally occur in the classroom. How a community of inquiry creates individuals who are capable of autonomous thinking and good decision-making - both in the classroom, and also in the future, when they become democratic citizens will also be recognised. This will lead to the analysis of why having such a community of inquiry is important, and how to practise and implement this within the ethics classroom.