Prospects for the development of philosophical education in Ukraine. Round Table

Abstract

On May 19, 2020, it took place online a meeting of the participants of the working group formed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to develop a state standard of philosophical education for three higher education levels – bachelor's, master's and PhD programs. The meeting was attended by most of the members of the working group, who had the opportunity to do so. The topic for discussion was the still unrealized potential of philosophical education, which is available in Ukrainian universities, in particular – the causes and consequences of the current crisis in higher education in Ukraine in general, and in philosophical education in particular. There were revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the current system of teaching philosophy in the Ukrainian higher school, its indisputable achievements and not yet realized opportunities, and accordingly – the prospects for the development of philosophical education in Ukraine. The following issues were discussed: lacks in philosophical education in Ukraine today, changes in the content and format of this education, experience of rapid development of public philosophy in Ukraine useful for improving academic education, benefits of academic philosophical education in Ukraine. During the discussion of these issues, it was emphasized the need to preserve the best academic traditions of Ukrainian universities, as well as their further institutional development and purification from outdated forms in order to update the content of philosophy. It was noted the need for a new definition of the goals of philosophical education – both for philosophy itself and for the education system and society as a whole. Among the tasks of improving the content of philosophical education was mentioned improving the quality of historical-philosophical research and in particular translations of world classics into Ukrainian, and at the same time stressed the need to study modern philosophical problems together with students and graduate students. Special mention was made of the large and still underused resource of involving students in the formation of a curriculum in philosophy (free choice of some disciplines), as well as creative resources and useful experience of non-academic teaching of philosophy, which has its weaknesses and strengths. The participants agreed on the need to return to philosophical education an elite status, which should be provided primarily on master's and PhD levels of education, while the new bachelor's standard of philosophical education is designed to provide quality broad humanities education.