Stoics for STL: Reducing Violence Thru Philosophy
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St. Louis has been and continues to be one of the most violent cities in the country, even after Mike Brown. As a Ferguson resident and parent of two young boys, hoping for change through a political process didn't seem like a strategy. So instead, I decided on a different approach.
As an educator for over 20 years, I know curriculum can only go so far. What's not limited, however, is each child's capacity for character development and their ability to adjust their perception of their environment.
Philosophy, specific Stoic Philosophy that dates back to Socrates's time, address issues that we've all dealt with - from stress, knowing how to deal with difficult people, bullying, not being carried away by luxury, anger, guilt...even death itself. In fact, Stoic principals have been used to assist patients who use cognitive behavior therapy to treat mental illness and recent studies have convincingly shown that modern cognitive therapy owes much to the writings and ideas of the Stoics.
We're creating curriculum specific for K-6, middle school, and high school students that focuses on developing four virtues: (1) Courage, (2) Temperance (3) Justice and (4) Wisdom. We believe that by mastering these virtues, students will be less violent, less stressed, and view the things that cause them to "act out" as not worth the effort.
We need your help!
The largest expense will be purchasing a set of three text books (Meditations, Letter's from a Stoic, and The Discourses of Epictetus) for each students and developing the accompanying comic/workbook that goes along with the lesson plans.
As an educator for over 20 years, I know curriculum can only go so far. What's not limited, however, is each child's capacity for character development and their ability to adjust their perception of their environment.
Philosophy, specific Stoic Philosophy that dates back to Socrates's time, address issues that we've all dealt with - from stress, knowing how to deal with difficult people, bullying, not being carried away by luxury, anger, guilt...even death itself. In fact, Stoic principals have been used to assist patients who use cognitive behavior therapy to treat mental illness and recent studies have convincingly shown that modern cognitive therapy owes much to the writings and ideas of the Stoics.
We're creating curriculum specific for K-6, middle school, and high school students that focuses on developing four virtues: (1) Courage, (2) Temperance (3) Justice and (4) Wisdom. We believe that by mastering these virtues, students will be less violent, less stressed, and view the things that cause them to "act out" as not worth the effort.
We need your help!
The largest expense will be purchasing a set of three text books (Meditations, Letter's from a Stoic, and The Discourses of Epictetus) for each students and developing the accompanying comic/workbook that goes along with the lesson plans.
Organizer
Dobbie Herrion
Organizer
Ferguson, MO
