9Rome is an educational experiment at the intersection of philosophy and scientific methodology. Our goal is not simply to impart knowledge, but to rebuild the foundations of classical fundamental education in practice.
I am convinced that proper philosophical dialogue with schoolchildren is not preparation for life in the future, but a unique experience in the “here and now.” 9Rome is inspired by the internationally recognized P4C (Philosophy for Children — USA) methodology. We do not teach the history of other people's thoughts; we teach independent thinking.
Why is this important? I offer students a complex and fascinating system that transforms the classroom into a “Community of Inquiry.” Here, not only a system of knowledge is formed, but also a holistic picture of the world, one's own ethical compass, and a deep cultural context.
Philosophy at 9Rome is:
- An intellectual duel: an honest struggle for freedom and clarity of thought.
- A laboratory for 4C thinking: the development of critical, creative, caring, and collaborative approaches to any problem.
- A space for independence: the ability to argue reasonably and listen to others.
It is a real sporting struggle for the right to have your own voice and understand the meaning of your actions.
Masha Ismailova, founder of 9Rome.
Course content
We use high-level texts not for academic memorization, but as catalysts for democratic dialogue and the development of 4C Thinking Skills.
Part 1: Theory
Theoretical philosophical training. How others did it, why, and what they achieved. Based on: 1. Luke Ferri, A Brief History of Thought: A Treatise on Philosophy for the Younger Generation, with detailed commentary. 2. Jostein Gaarder, Sophie's World.
What is philosophy and why is it necessary?
Philosophy as a meta-level
Let's start at the beginning. How these problems were solved in Ancient Greece.
What is theory and why are philosophy and science similar?
The Sophists, rhetoric, Socrates.
Socrates
Socrates' method
Plato
Plato's ontology. Plato's cave
Aristotle
Stoics, Marcus Aurelius, Cynics, Cicero
Ethics
Wisdom and exercises in it
Exercises in wisdom
Christianity
Christian philosophy?
Christian ethics
Christian wisdom: the doctrine of salvation through love, promising personal immortality
Renaissance philosophy
Humanism in Europe
Modern philosophy
The ethical revolution of the modern era
Kantian morality and the foundations of republicanism
Descartes' ideas as the basis for a new philosophy
The emergence of a new spirituality in the modern era
The French Enlightenment of the 18th century
Postmodern philosophy
Reactive and active forces: democrats and aristocrats
The morality of the immoralist: beyond good and evil
After deconstruction
Options for the development of contemporary philosophy
Do we need a new humanism?
Part 2: Practice
1.The art of rational conjecture
- Russell, B. The art of rational conjecture.
2. How to Prepare and Train Philosophers.
- Russell B. What Is Philosophy?
3. The Art of Reasoning, Part 1
4. The Art of Reasoning, Part 2
- Russell B. The Art of Reasoning.
- Omand D. Targeted Thinking. Decision-Making Using British Intelligence Methods.
- Voss K. No Compromises.
5. The Art of Calculation.
- Russell B. The Art of Calculation.
- Hardy G. In Praise of Mathematics.
- Doxiadis, A. Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Problem.
6. Can Man Be Rational?
- Russell, B. Can Man Be Rational?
- King, L. How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere?
7. Useless Knowledge.
- Russell, B. Useless Knowledge.
8. On Happiness and Boredom.
- Russell, B. What Is Happiness?
9. On Moral Taboos, Part 1.
10. On Moral Taboos, Part 2.
- Russell, B. Moral Taboos.
- Frans de Waal. The Origins of Morality: In Search of Humanity in Primates.
- Magun A. Where did the new ethics come from? And how leftist and totalitarian is it? (Article summary).
- Skidelsky E. There is indeed a lot of “totalitarianism” in the new ethics (article summary).
11. On the role of the individual.
- Russell B. On the role of the individual.
12. On power.
- Russell B. Power.
13. On nationalism.
- Russell B. Nationalism. - Stargardt N. The Mobilized Nation. Germany 1939-1945. - Klemperer W. The Language of the Third Reich.
14. On fanaticism and tolerance.
- Russell B. Fanaticism and Tolerance.
15. On the Nature of Fascism, Part 1.
16. On the Nature of Fascism, Part 2.
- Russell, B. The Origins of Fascism.
- Schirer, W. The Berlin Diary.
- Eco, U. Eternal Fascism.
- Grass, G. The Onion of Memory.
- Hafner, S. The Story of a German.
- Hafner, S. A Certain Mr. Hitler. The Politics of Crime.
17. On Free Thought and Propaganda, Part 1
18. On Free Thought and Propaganda, Part 2
- Russell, B. Free Thought and Official Propaganda.
- Eco, U. On the Press.
- Epple, N. An Uncomfortable Past.
19. On Religion, Part 1.
20. On Religion, Part 2.
- Russell, B. Why I Am Not a Christian.
- Boyer, P. Explaining Religion: The Nature of Religious Thought.
- Guayta, J. A Monk in Quarantine: 40 Days of Pilgrimage with the Crown.
- Frankl, V. Man's Search for Meaning.
- Frankl, V. The Unconscious God. Psychotherapy and Religion.
- James, W. The Varieties of Religious Experience.
- Kolakovsky, L. Religion: If There Is No God.
- Kolakowski L. Conversations with the Devil.
21. On Art, Part 1.
22. On Art, Part 2.
- Kapa R. Hidden Perspective.
- Birn, D. How Music Works.
- Berger, D. The Art of Seeing.
- Teffi, N., Averchenko, A. Universal History, Adapted by Satirikon.
- Tarkovsky, A. Captured Time.
- Gasparyan, M. Notes and Excerpts.
23. Three Elements of Humanism Today: “Expanded Thinking,” the Wisdom of Love, and the Experience of Grief, Part 1
24. Three Elements of Humanism Today: “Expanded Thinking,” the Wisdom of Love, and the Experience of Grief, Part 2
- Ferry L. A Brief History of Thought. A Treatise on Philosophy for the Younger Generation
Additional reading:
Albedil, M. In the Magic Circle of Myths
Gombrich, E. The Little History of the World
Zharinov, E. Crazy Russian Scientists
Zharinov, N. The Secret Life of Masterpieces
Zharinov N. Confessions of a Literary Scholar: How to Understand Books from Dostoevsky to King
Kombaz K. The Lord of Urania
Latour B. The Anthropologist Visits the Laboratory
Latour B. Give Me a Laboratory and I Will Turn the World Upside Down
Likhachev D. Letters About Goodness and Beauty
McCarthy T. Tintin and the Mystery of Literature
Okun A. A Novel with a Pencil
Pastoureau M. The History of Color
Pastoureau M. The Colors of Our Memory
Ross A. Beyond the Noise: Listening to the 20th Century
Sibrook D. The Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory
Soloukhin V. Blackboards
Tatarsky A. Alexander “Pilot” Tatarsky
Tolstoy L. What I Believe In
Charles de Coster. The Legend of Ulenšpigel
Eco U. Five Essays on Ethics (complete collection)
Limonov E. Reflections on the Future