Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Kant, Hegel and Freud

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

Setting clear objectives is essential for laying a strong foundation for what students need to grasp and apply during the lesson. By outlining the main goals, the teacher guides students on the focus of their prior studies and gears them up for engaging discussions in class. This stage also aims to motivate students by showcasing how relevant these topics are to the present day and their everyday lives, fostering a deeper connection to the content.

Objective Utama:

1. Explore the significant philosophical contributions of Immanuel Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and Sigmund Freud, focusing on their theories regarding ethics, rationality, dialectics, and psychoanalysis respectively.

2. Analyze how the ideas of these three philosophers have shaped and continue to influence various aspects of modern thought and practices, including politics, social sciences, and psychology.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Develop critical thinking skills to compare and contrast the theories of the three philosophers, identifying their similarities and differences in approaches.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction aims to engage students in the lesson by presenting problem scenarios that stimulate critical thinking and practical application of their existing knowledge. Additionally, by tying the relevance of the philosophers to real-world examples, students are encouraged to view philosophy as an essential tool for interpreting and questioning the world around them, rather than as an abstract subject.

Problem-Based Situation

1. How do Kant's ideas about pure and practical reason relate to modern ethical dilemmas, such as those arising in artificial intelligence and human rights?

2. Examine a contemporary political event using Hegel's concept of 'Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis' to analyze the dynamics of opinion formation and political disputes.

Contextualization

To emphasize the importance of the philosophers being discussed, consider highlighting how Kant's theory of individual freedom impacted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, how Hegel's concepts shaped democracy and the rule of law, and how Freud's work advanced our understanding of mental processes and therapies still utilized today. These connections illustrate the ongoing significance of philosophy in navigating and addressing modern challenges.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

This development phase encourages students to actively engage their prior knowledge of Kant, Hegel, and Freud in relevant contemporary contexts. By working in groups, students enhance their critical thinking, argumentative, and collaborative skills while exploring how these philosophical theories can be utilized to decipher and solve real-world issues. Each activity prompts students to delve deeply into the influence these philosophers have had, not just on philosophy but on contemporary practices and understandings in ethics, politics, and psychology.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - The Ethical Dilemma in Artificial Intelligence

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply Kantian ethical concepts to address contemporary technological dilemmas.

- Description: Students will be split into groups, with each group receiving a fictional scenario where a technology firm must decide whether to implement an algorithm that could enhance profits but might breach essential ethical guidelines. Students will employ Kant's theories on pure and practical reason to analyze the dilemma and propose a solution that balances efficiency with ethics.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the ethical dilemma scenarios to each group.

• Instruct each group to analyze the scenario based on the studied Kantian theories.

• Each group should prepare a presentation detailing the dilemma, its Kantian analysis, and a suggested solution.

• Hold a presentation session followed by a class-wide discussion.

Activity 2 - Dialectic Democracy

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand and apply the dialectical method in a modern political discussion context.

- Description: In this activity, students will simulate a political assembly where various groups represent contrasting interests and must use Hegel's dialectic to try and reach a synthesis that benefits the majority. A relevant topic, like education policy, will be debated, and each group will uphold its initial 'thesis'.

- Instructions:

• Arrange the classroom in an assembly format, with groups standing for different stances on the topic.

• Begin with each group presenting its 'thesis'.

• Encourage groups to challenge and critique others' theses using Hegelian dialectics.

• Guide the discussion towards envisioning a potential 'synthesis'.

• Conclude with collaboratively drafting a 'synthesis' that encompasses elements from all viewpoints.

Activity 3 - Psychoanalytic Analysis of Famous Characters

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Utilize Freud's psychoanalytic theories to comprehend the motivations behind the actions of public figures.

- Description: Students will choose a renowned character (whether real or fictional) and apply Freud's psychoanalytic theories to analyze their behavior, motivations, and underlying traumas. Each group should create a 'clinical analysis' of the selected character, using Freudian terminology.

- Instructions:

• Groups select a character and research its background and behaviors.

• Apply Freudian concepts (such as Id, Ego, Superego, Oedipus complex, etc.) to analyze the character.

• Prepare a presentation where they describe the character, use Freudian ideas, and discuss potential 'diagnoses' and 'treatments'.

• Follow presentations with a discussion on the applicability and limitations of psychoanalysis when investigating public figures.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This feedback segment is critical for solidifying students' learning, providing them the opportunity to reflect on the real-world applications of the theories studied and discuss their complexities and implications. The group discussion fosters understanding, addresses challenges faced while applying the theories, and encourages a reflective perspective on the ongoing impact of these thinkers in today's world.

Group Discussion

Initiate the discussion by gathering all students and inviting each group to briefly share the key points from their activities. Encourage them to elaborate on how the theories of Kant, Hegel, and Freud were applied and what insights they derived from these practical exercises. Utilize a timer to ensure equitable speaking time for each group, avoiding any excessive focus on a single point.

Key Questions

1. How did the theories of Kant, Hegel, and Freud assist in understanding and addressing the modern ethical, political, and psychological dilemmas tackled during the activities?

2. Were there any instances where these philosophers' theories seemed contradictory? How did you navigate those contradictions during the activities?

3. In what ways might a comprehension of these philosophers influence your future choices and perspectives?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The aim of this concluding phase is to ensure that students have a solid and cohesive understanding of the discussed topics while recognizing the enduring relevance of philosophy in their lives. The conclusion serves to wrap up the learning process, linking all discussed points and reinforcing the necessity of critical and analytical thinking in practical applications.

Summary

In this final segment, the teacher should encapsulate the critical ideas discussed regarding Kant, Hegel, and Freud, reiterating their theories' relevance to contemporary scenarios. It is vital to recap the principles of Kantian ethics, Hegelian dialectics, and Freudian psychoanalysis, emphasizing their practical and theoretical applications examined during the activities.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson established a coherent connection between theory and practice, illustrating how philosophical notions can be applied across diverse real-world contexts. The activities afforded students the chance to experience applying Kant, Hegel, and Freud’s theories to authentic situations, underscoring the significance of critical thought and philosophy in interpreting and addressing contemporary challenges.

Closing

Finally, stress the continued importance of philosophical education in fostering critical thinking and making ethical, political, and psychological decisions. Emphasize how grasping these theories equips students to be more aware and responsible citizens, capable of analyzing and questioning the intricacies of the world they inhabit.