Gareth B. Matthews, The Child’s Philosopher

Winner of the 2022 Book Award of the Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia, Gareth B. Matthews, The Child''s Philosopher brings together groundbreaking essays by　renowned American philosopher Gareth B.　Matthews in　three　fields　he helped to initiate:　philosophy in children’s literature, philosophy for children, and philosophy of childhood.　In addition, contemporary scholars critically assess Matthews’ pioneering efforts and his legacy.

Gareth B. Matthews (1929-2011) was a specialist in ancient and medieval philosophy who had conversations with young children, discovering that they delight　in　philosophical　puzzlement　and　that their philosophical thinking often enriched his own understanding. Those conversations became the impetus for a substantial component of Matthews’ scholarship,　from which this book features essays spanning the length of his career.　Contemporary contributors to the book critically evaluate Matthews’ scholarship, showing where he broke new ground and identifying developments and debates in the fields he helped to initiate. They take up pressing challenges, including biased idealizations of childhood in children’s literature;　the　tensions between teaching philosophy to, and doing philosophy with young people; the merits of theorizing childhood without theorizing children; and　how professional philosophy at once　desires　and resists　a return to childhood.

This second volume in the　Philosophy for Children Founders　series is an important resource　for philosophers,　educators,　and　anyone interested in children’s philosophical thinking, developmental psychology, what it means to philosophize with children, the nature of childhood, and how children’s literature goes philosophical. It will guide and inspire those who share Matthews’ conviction that the impulse to philosophize begins in early childhood.

Contributors (in addition to Gareth B. Matthews): Stephanie Burdick-Shepherd, Cristina Cammarano, Claire Cassidy, Stanley Cavell, Maughn Rollins Gregory, Jennifer Glaser, Walter Omar Kohan, Megan Jane Laverty, Jana Mohr Lone, Karin Murris, Peter Shea, Susan M. Turner, Susannah Sheffer.