I've recently reread Schiller's Aesthetic Education on Young Men and there he writes that the Aesthetic education is the most important. For Schiller, it's one thing to know a moral precept, like the categorical imperative, but we should really work on making them feel inclined towards them emotionally. Show me what moves you and I'll tell you something about yourself. So I was wondering if anyone know a few great books that might aid in getting preteens and young teens to reflect philosophically, to give them a narrative that moves them to feel so inclined as to open another book on great topics such as the problem of knowledge, the problem of conduct, or the problem of governance. I have two precocious nieces and want to give them a leg up on the importance of philosophy.
The Giver and Sophie's World are a couple resources. Any others? Thanks in advance for any help you may give.
"The Little Prince" has always been considered a timeless novel that both pre-teens and teens enjoy, urging them as it does never to lose their sense of wonder and hope. Another classic is "Jonathan Livingston Seagull", although its more complex messages about wonder, hope, taking risks, and learning to fly are better aimed at young adults. Both of these charming and moving novels are written in a style and from a point of view that older children and young adults find especially appealing, even in this age of internet, facebook, and twitter. Neither of these novels addresses the problem of knowledge, governance, etc. explicitly nor are they explicitly aimed at teaching philosophy. However, they are both deeply philosophical in their outlook, raising and offering answers to some of life's most fundamental existential questions.
"The Little Prince" has always been considered a timeless novel that both pre-teens and teens enjoy, urging them as it does never to lose their sense of wonder and hope. Another classic is "Jonathan Livingston Seagull", although its more complex messages about wonder, hope, taking risks, and learning to fly are better aimed at young adults. Both of these charming and moving novels are written in a style and from a point of view that older children and young adults find especially appealing, even in this age of internet, facebook, and twitter. Neither of these novels addresses the problem of knowledge, governance, etc. explicitly nor are they explicitly aimed at teaching philosophy. However, they are both deeply philosophical in their outlook, raising and offering answers to some of life's most fundamental existential questions.
Besides Camus' classical little lovely book, I would like to mention the recent "Sophie's World", by J. Gaarder (1991). The most important problems, concepts an authors in the history of philosophy are introduced in a well written fiction story.
Now, who has not read the Nobel Prize winner H. Hesse? Most of his novels are deeply philosophically and fine-tuned for preteens and teenagers. Let us just recall "Steppenwolf", or "Damian", his "Siddharta" or also "Death and the Lover". Hesse's novels are excellent works to in introduce moral and metaphysical concerns.
It' s a putty that that the cultural industry has passed over Hesse in the last years.
One final author that is truly worth reading for teenagers is R. Riordan's sagas - any of them. They combine philosophy with history and a high and hilarious sense of humor. I really recommend Riordan's books.
In addition to the works already cited, I think there are two great books by M. Ende (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Ende): "The Neverending Story" and "Momo". They are very rich in meanings, deep and metaphysical.
Another interesting author, in my opinion, is Maria Gripe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Gripe), who has written on a wide range of topics, but more focused on social and vital issues.
I hope this can help you.
Regards.
It also depends on the generations of those who advise. Some elder people might very well mention -besides the ones mentioned already above- H. Hesse. A classic! However, some younger people might suggest Rick Riordan: funny, intelligent and philosophical.
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