Efficiency of Small Groups Method in Teaching Philosophy

Abstract

The processes of globalization and universal digitalization have a transforming effect on the education system. To succeed in the profession, a modern specialist needs to have not only special skills, but also be able to navigate in a situation of uncertainty, be prepared to change his occupation, and constantly improve his educational level. The importance of philosophy as an academic discipline in the system of university education is considered. The relevance and argumentativeness of the question of the methodology of teaching philosophy are shown, taking into account the special tasks of the discipline, the focus on the formation of the philosophical and methodological culture of man. The focus is on teaching the student philosophizing, the development of critical thinking skills. It substantiates the refusal to teach in the form of translation of historical and philosophical knowledge and the productivity of the “Socratic dialogue”, which requires the student to search intellectually and creatively. The method of small groups is analyzed as an interactive teaching method, which involves changing the nature of the interaction between the student and the teacher, shifting the emphasis towards student activity and turning the learning task into a search-oriented, research-oriented one. The process of organizing a seminar on philosophy in accordance with the methodology of small groups on the example of the topic «Consciousness» is presented. The results obtained during the implementation of this method in seminars are studied. The conclusion is drawn, as a result of which the small group method seems productive and effective in organizing philosophical work, since not only is the student assimilating other people’s philosophical constructions (connecting to the philosophy of teachings and systems, according to M.K. Mamardashvili), but also building a version of his personal philosophy taking into account their attitudes, programs and values (real philosophy).