Why Philosophy Should be Mandatory in British Schools

Often when people think of philosophy, they think about existential questions that no one really has an answer to, but is this really the case? What really is the point of philosophy, and why introduce it at such a young age?

A good example: France

Philosophy has been mandatory in French secondary schools since 1809 (BBC News, 2013). Napoleon made education more accessible after the French Revolution in order to fight against the nobility’s supremacy. With the French Revolution came the need to justify horrific violence with rational philosophical justifications. And thus the introduction of philosophy in the education system had the purpose of s teaching them to think critically, and still does to this day (Patriquin, 2013).

This is what makes France a good example for Britain. We are in an era of political and economic division so severe that regardless of which side you are on, the future looks bleak. Similar to the French Revolution, this huge division is making people question their quality of lives, political systems, and inequality. 

Philosophy in French schools

Students at the lycée study up to 8 hours of philosophy a week depending on their specialisation, and at the end of the academic year they take a 4 hour written exam that revolves around a single question, such as: 

Is truth preferable to peace?

Can one be right in spite of the facts?

Does power exist without violence?

Philosophy is a highly criticised subject in France, with students saying it is elitist, Eurocentric and demoralizing (BBC News, 2013). However, not all students think it should be scrapped; some think the curriculum requires reform instead. 

How should it be done in Britain

Philosophy is a difficult subject for adults to properly understand, so how do we expect to introduce it to kids? University philosophy students should go to secondary schools and start asking simple philosophical questions to get young students to discuss. This would firstly be introduced in year 7, where students have just entered a whole new environment. Introducing them to philosophy at the start of secondary school is critical as it will allow them to look at these questions of a new subject with a fresh point of view and will give them a sense of maturity which other subjects may not. After introducing them to basic philosophy, they will have to take it as a mandatory subject at the GCSE level. This way of teaching will make philosophy feel less intimidating, give them the tools to think more critically of the world around them, and improve the way they understand other subjects.

Help not only in academic settings

We live in a world dominated by the internet and social media with many kids having access to it at a very young age. Of course with all the benefits that the internet and social media bring, there are many drawbacks that we are just starting to see. One of the biggest problems is the ability that bad faith actors have to manipulate children and adolescents. This is partially due to age but also to the inability to think critically about the media they consume and the world that surrounds them. Philosophy would help resolve these issues.

In a world where opinions are everywhere, philosophy will give the tools for people to learn how to think, not what to think. This is exactly what Britain needs.

References:

BBC News (2013) Why do the French study philosophy? [Online]. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22729780 (Accessed: 31 October 2025).

Patriquin, M. (2013) To be or not to be: Why philosophy is mandatory in France. Maclean’s. [Online]. Available at: https://macleans.ca/news/world/to-be-or-not-to-be/ (Accessed: 31 October 2025).