Use this activity to engage all types of learners while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“An Argument Between Two Philosophers”

In this activity, students create a fictional argument between two philosophers of their choice and in a format of their choosing

Sophie’s World features the examination of significant philosophical contributions throughout history and how they shaped humanity. When philosophers oppose previous theories and create new ones, this is known as the dialectic process. In this activity, you will create a fictionalized argument between two philosophers of your choice. Refer to the bullets below to help guide your creation:

• The philosophical argument may be in any creative form as long as it expresses the philosophers’ ideas, a dialogue between them, and how they might disagree and agree.
• Examples of products for your argument include a script for a play, a rap battle music video, a comic, or another creative yet appropriate/applicable medium.
• The two philosophers you choose must be featured in Sophie’s World.
• Ensure that your argument clearly relates to one of the following themes: The Unity in All Existence, What It Means to Be a Philosopher, or The History of Ideas.

You will share your creative product with your philosophical argument with the class upon completion.

Teaching Suggestion: Students may be tempted to choose two philosophers who were noted to have disagreed in the novel, or whose ideas obviously oppose each other. You may wish to encourage divergent thinking in students—for them to consider and select philosophers whose ideas may have more nuanced comparisons. In addition, to help facilitate creative thinking and brainstorming, you may allow students to work with a partner instead of alone.