The relevance of philosophy in the strife torn world of today cannot be undermined: going into the 'why' of ideas, philosophy examines the importance of concepts and ways to cultivate values, and foster them. But its growing unpopularity particularly as a discipline of study warrants specific attention. The book explores an important factor responsible for this -- the way in which philosophy is taught.

The papers, presented at a national seminar sponsored by Indian Council of Philosophical Research, look into various aspects of teaching philosophy: its methods, models, techniques, associated problems and prospects in the coming decades to highlight the nature and relevance of philosophy. They scrutinise the philosophy curriculum in universities today and study the methods of teaching philosophy in ancient India, with their stress on summarising the essence of philosophical doctrines in sutras or aphorisms. Scholars from the West in their thought-provoking analyses present the changing patterns of curriculum and syllabus of philosophy, and the use of computers and science fiction for the purpose. The Indian teachers of philosophy, both old and young, emphasise on acquainting the students with philosophy right from the school level, and teaching philosophy in an entertaining yet edifying manner by presenting life stories of philosophers and teaching through novel methods. They discuss the need to introduce and popularize philosophy among people in general so as to make philosophy a way of life that can usher in moral and spiritual progress in the Twenty-first Century.

Preface 
Acknowledgements

1. Inaugural Address: Ancient Indian Methods of Writing Philosophy

-- V. Venkatachalam

2. Keynote Address: Quality Teaching, the Criteria for Promotion in USA

-- Michael Goldman

3. Valedictory Address: Teaching Philosophy in a Multi-lingistic Context

-- S.S. Rama Rao Pappu

4. Philosophy as a Way of Life

-- R.S. Ambasta

5. Display Methods in Teaching Philosophy

-- P. George Victor

6. Philosophy Curriculum for the Young

 -- S. Gopalan

7. Syllabus of Philosophy for +2 level

-- Hari Narain Pandey

8. Educating about Philosophy 

 -- Himat Singh

9. Philosophy and Trans-human Values

 -- B.K. Jha

10. Teaching Philosophy through Science Fiction

-- Judy D. Saltzman

11. What should we Aim in Teaching? 

-- Lalitha Ramamurthy

12. Goals of Philosophy 

-- Monika Talapatra

13. Review of Methods for Teaching Philosophy

-- R. Murali

14. Philosophy for Value Education

-- G.C. Nayak

15. Philosophy for the Future 

-- D. Nesy

16. Programme for Teaching Philosophy

-- G. Padmakumar

17. An Approach to Teaching 

-- K.R. Rajani

18. A Note on Teaching Philosophy

-- A. Rama Murty

19. Philosophy of Value in Education

-- Sajida Adeeb

20. Future of Philosophy in the Educative Process

-- P.V. Unnikrishnan

21. Philosophy, Insight and Dialogue

-- G. Vedaparayana

22. Teaching Philosophy through Stories and Lives of Great Men

-- R. Venkat Reddy

Conclusion

-- P. George Victor

Appendix: Department of Philosophy, Andhra University -- A Profile
The Contributors 
Index