TRAP-Mind Theory

Philosophizing as an Educational Process

Abstract

The TRAP-Mind-Theory introduces a problem-oriented technique of philosophizing, based on the results of empirical research in cognitive psychology. Philosophizing is understood as the mental activity in which philosophical education is applied. In order to learn how to philosophize, students must perform the mental processes that philosophizing is all about. Those processes can be identified by making use of empirical findings of cognitive psychology. The observance of those findings leads to the matrix of contemplation, a model with three areas and four levels. People develop their thoughts to the next level by adding reasons (for themselves, others or all people) to the results of the current one. Reasons and considerations get tested by using the 5C-criteria (clarity, correlation, consistency, completeness, comparison). By breaking down the complex process of philosophizing into these steps, philosophizing with children and grown-ups becomes possible, teachable, and evaluable.