What’s real and who/what matters: Sentientism in schools

What’s real and who/what matters: Sentientism in schools

Author: Ethical Schools March 5, 2024 Duration: 49:16

We speak with Jamie Woodhouse, UK educator and thought leader on sentientism.  An ethical worldview informed by evidence, reason, and compassion, sentientism prioritizes the well-being of humans and animals other than human. We discuss strategies for introducing sentientism in the classroom, the questions students ask, and ways teachers can incorporate sentientism in the curriculum.

Overview

00:00-00:32 Intros

00:33-02:09 Definition of  Sentientism

02:09-05:11 History of Sentientism

05:11-7:59 Do we know who/what are sentient?

7:59-10:39 Are plants sentient?

10:39-11:55 Does sentientism take future generations into account?

11:55-15:23 Sentientism and veganism

15:23-21:00 Relationship of sentientism to hunting and fishing cultures

21:00-22:39 Sentientism and helping sentient beings to thrive

22:39-27:02 Sentientism and climate change

27:02-30:24 What should teachers know about sentientism?

30:24-35:09 Are children naturally compassionate or does that need to be taught?

35:09-39:14 Questions students ask

39:14-41:20 How students can incorporate sentientism into their actions

41:20-43:34 Sentientism as a “movement”

43:34- Outro

Transcript


Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 240

Ethical Schools
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