Presentation for Mid-Atlantic Popular Culture Association Children and Childhood Studies Oct 29, 2010 *IMAGES USED FOR EDUCATION/FAIR USE

1. Philosophy
from a Pineapple
Under
the Sea
Katie Elson Anderson- Rutgers Universit
MAPACA: Children and Childhood Studie
October 29, 2010

2. Meet SpongeBob
Squarepants
First appeared
in July 1999
Official Target
Audience: 6-11
year olds
Nickelodeon’s
Highest Rated
Show
Large Adult
Viewership
(almost 1/3)
Hugely
Successful
Marketing and
Commercialism

3. SpongeBob and Philosophy

4. Am I Dreaming?
Descartes Dream Argument and SpongeBob
There once was a sponge from the sea,
Who asked, am I dreaming? Is that
me?
Not waiting around
For the answer to be found
He continued his ways regardless of
dream or reality.”

5. “Sleepy Time” (1999)

6. Mickey “Thru the Mirror” (1936)

7. Alice in Wonderland (1951)

8. Teaching Philosophy to Children
Gary and SpongeBob
Plato and Aristotle

9. Children and Philosophy
• Children are naturally inquisitive
• Children often ask philosophical
questions
• Philosophy in the classroom
encourages debate and
discussion
• Philosophical questions help
develop reasoning skills
• Enhances critical thinking

10. Philosophy for Children (P4C)
Children and Philosophy: founded by Matthew
Lipman in early1970’s
Montclair State University: Institute for the
Advancement of Philosophy for Children (IPAC)
Programs provide curriculum, training and
partnerships with universities and colleges.
In 1988: 4000+ elementary schools.

11. Sources
Images: Wikimedia Commons, Nickelodeon.com
http://spongebob.wikia.com/wiki/Sleepy_Time
Screenshots: cite the DVD’s
Pritchard, Michael, (2009). “Philosophy for Children” in
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy,
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/children/ (accessed October
2010)
Anderson, Katherine E., (2010). “Does Anybody have a
Quarter?” in SpongeBob Squarepants and Philosophy edited
by Joseph Foy, Open Court.