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Jigsaw Activity: Philosophers and their Theories

Jigsaw Activity: Philosophers and their Theories

Objectives

The goal is to learn the Jigsaw method as a way to independently explore complex philosophical models of thought. Participants engage objectively and critically with fundamental questions of existence and evaluate them through academic discussion. The sample content serves as a flexible template for systematic method training.

Content and Methods

This Worksheet uses a cooperative Jigsaw structure to explore core philosophical ideas. After an individual specialization phase, students deepen their knowledge in expert groups and then share it in home groups. Results are organized in a table that highlights major works and key theses. A short, fictional role-play at the end places each position in a contemporary context. All content choices - both the selection of philosophers and the theories - are designed to be interchangeable.

Competencies

  • Subject Knowledge: Understanding central philosophical movements and the ability to concisely summarize complex models of thought.
  • Methodological Skills: Confident use of the Jigsaw method as a cooperative learning approach and proficiency in focused academic research.
  • Critical Judgment: Objective engagement with differing worldviews and their relevance for contemporary epistemology.
  • Social and Communication Skills: Responsible peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and facilitation of perspective-taking through role-play.

Target Group and Level

Middle and upper secondary

ES
FV
GZ
HC

50 other teachers use this template

Target group and level

Middle school students and higher

Subjects

Englishnon-subject specific contentPhilosophyEthics

Jigsaw Activity: Philosophers and their Theories

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🔎 Explore the World of Philosophers and their Theories

Discover the Fascinating World of Philosophy

Step into a world where groundbreaking thinkers have questioned the foundations of human existence for centuries. From the nature of the mind to the radical freedom of the individual, these theories offer fresh perspectives on everyday choices and actions.

Explore a rich tapestry of logical arguments and visionary ideas that continue to shape how we understand the world and ourselves today.

Auf diesem Bild sind vier bedeutende Philosoph:innen nebeneinander dargestellt. Von links nach rechts sieht man: 1. **John Locke** – Ein Porträt im klassischen Stil, vermutlich aus dem 17. Jahrhundert. Locke hat graues, schulterlanges Haar, einen ernsten Gesichtsausdruck und trägt eine Schlichtheit, die auf seine Zeit und seine Philosophie der Aufklärung hinweist. Locke ist bekannt als Begründer des Liberalismus und für seine Theorien zu Eigentum, Freiheit und politischer Legitimation. 2. **John Stuart Mill** – Auch in einem traditionellen Stil gemalt, passend zum 19. Jahrhundert. Mill ist älter dargestellt, mit Stirnglatze und buschigen Koteletten. Er trägt einen dunklen Anzug mit Schleife und Hemdkragen. Mill steht für Utilitarismus, Liberalismus und Frauenrechte. 3. **Judith Butler** – Modern fotografiert, eindeutig eine Gegenwartsaufnahme. Butler hat kurzes graues Haar und trägt moderne, eher schlichte Business-Kleidung in Schwarz. Ihr Gesichtsausdruck wirkt ernst und intellektuell offen. Butler ist bekannt für ihre Beiträge zur Gender-Theorie und zur politischen Philosophie. 4. **Martha Nussbaum** – Ebenfalls in moderner Fotografie abgebildet, mit kurzem, blondem Haar, Perlenohrringen und eleganter schwarzer Kleidung. Ihr Ausdruck ist freundlich und bestimmt. Nussbaum steht für ethische, politische und feministische Philosophie und ist besonders für ihre Theorie der Fähigkeiten (Capability Approach) bekannt. Das Bild vereint verschiedene Epochen und Stile: Die zwei linken Porträts wirken malerisch und historisch, während die zwei rechten Porträts modern und fotografisch gehalten sind. Dadurch wird die zeitliche Spanne und der philosophische Fortschritt von der Aufklärung bis zur heutigen Zeit visuell betont. Die Anordnung nebeneinander suggeriert eine Verbindung ihrer Gedanken und lebendige Diskussion zwischen den Generationen.

Note for Teacher

Assign different philosophers to your students. In group work, ensure each student is responsible for a different philosopher and becomes the group’s expert on that thinker.

🔎Task: Become the Expert

  • Read your assigned card carefully.
  • Then research your philosopher and become the expert on this thinker.

John Locke

John Locke
John Locke
Name: John Locke Lived: 1632, Wrington – 1704, Essex Key Points: Wrote during the late 17th century Founder of philosophical empiricism and political liberalism His most influential work is “Two Treatises of Government” Most Famous Theory: John Locke is best known for his theory of the social contract and natural rights, including life, liberty, and property. He argued that government should be based on the consent of the governed and should protect individual rights. Locke's ideas were foundational to modern democracy and influenced the development of liberal political thought.

John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill
Name: John Stuart Mill Lived: 1806, London – 1873, Avignon Key Points: Wrote during the 19th century Leading figure in liberal and social theory His most influential work is “On Liberty” Most Famous Theory: John Stuart Mill is best known for his theory of utilitarianism, which advocates that actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce the opposite. He emphasized individual liberty and argued for the protection of personal freedoms against societal norms. Mill's work greatly influenced liberal political thought and ethical philosophy.

Judith Butler

Judith Butler
Judith Butler
Name: Judith Butler Lived: 1956, Cleveland – Present Key Points: Writes in the late 20th and early 21st centuries Influential figure in feminist and queer theory Her most influential work is “Gender Trouble” Most Famous Theory: Judith Butler is best known for her theory of gender performativity, which argues that gender is not a fixed trait but rather a series of acts and performances. She challenges traditional notions of gender and identity, emphasizing the fluidity and constructed nature of these concepts. Butler's work has profoundly impacted feminist and queer studies, reshaping understandings of gender and identity.

Martha Nussbaum

Martha Nussbaum
Martha Nussbaum
Name: Martha Nussbaum Lived: 1947, New York – Present Key Points: Writes in the late 20th and early 21st centuries Prominent figure in ethics and political philosophy Her most influential work is “Creating Capabilities” Most Famous Theory: Martha Nussbaum is best known for her capabilities approach, which focuses on what individuals are able to do and to be, in contrast to more traditional measures of economic welfare. She emphasizes the importance of human dignity and advocates for policies that support the development of individual capabilities. Nussbaum's work has significantly influenced discussions on human rights and social justice.

Research Task: Explore the Philosophers

John Locke

Investigate how Locke's theory of the social contract influenced modern democracy. Find out more about his views on natural rights, particularly life, liberty, and property. How did Locke's ideas shape political liberalism?

John Stuart Mill

Research Mill's theory of utilitarianism and its impact on ethical philosophy. Look into his arguments for individual liberty as presented in “On Liberty”. How did Mill's thoughts contribute to the protection of personal freedoms against societal norms?

Judith Butler

Explore Butler's theory of gender performativity and its impact on feminist and queer theory. What does Butler mean by gender being a series of acts and performances? How have her ideas reshaped the understanding of gender and identity?

Martha Nussbaum

Investigate Nussbaum's capabilities approach and its significance in discussions on human rights and social justice. What does Nussbaum emphasize about human dignity and individual capabilities? How do her ideas contrast with traditional measures of economic welfare?

✒️ Write down your research.

NOTE FOR TEACHER!!!

Philosophical Influences on Society

John Locke

John Locke's theory of the social contract has profoundly influenced modern democracy by emphasizing that government authority is derived from the consent of the governed. Locke argued that governments should protect the natural rights of individuals, such as life, liberty, and property. These ideas laid the groundwork for liberal political thought and the development of democratic systems where individual rights are safeguarded. Locke's writings, particularly "Two Treatises of Government," have served as a foundational text for political liberalism, advocating for minimal government intervention and the protection of private property as essential for liberty.

John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill's theory of utilitarianism has significantly impacted ethical philosophy by proposing that actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce the opposite. Mill's work, "On Liberty," presents a strong argument for individual liberty, asserting that the freedom of thought and expression is crucial for personal and societal progress. He argued against the tyranny of societal norms, emphasizing that individual freedoms should be protected unless they cause harm to others. Mill's ideas have influenced the protection of personal freedoms and the development of liberal thought, advocating for a society where individuals can pursue their own happiness and liberty.

Judith Butler

Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity has reshaped the understanding of gender and identity within feminist and queer theory. Butler argues that gender is not a fixed trait but a series of acts and performances influenced by societal norms. This concept challenges traditional notions of gender as an inherent identity, instead presenting it as a fluid and socially constructed phenomenon. Butler's work has encouraged a more inclusive view of gender, recognizing the multiplicity of identities and experiences beyond the binary, and has been foundational in advancing queer theory and feminist discussions about identity and normativity.

Martha Nussbaum

Martha Nussbaum's capabilities approach has had a significant impact on discussions of human rights and social justice by focusing on what individuals are able to do and be. Nussbaum emphasizes human dignity and argues that traditional measures of economic welfare, such as GDP, fail to capture the essence of human development. Her work advocates for policies that support the development of individual capabilities, ensuring that people have the freedom to pursue lives they value. Nussbaum's approach contrasts with conventional economic metrics, highlighting the importance of providing equal opportunities for all individuals to achieve their potential, which is essential for a just and dignified society.

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đź‘Ą Transfer and Comparison

Task: Expert Group Discussion

  • Join classmates who were assigned the same philosopher.
  • Compare your research in your expert group:
  • Did you find the same key information?
  • Were there different interpretations of the theories?
  • Then return to your home group to share your insights.


✒️ Space to add your notes.

đź‘ĄTask: Collaborate and Complete the Table

  • Discuss your findings together.
  • Use your collected information to fill in the table so you have all the key details for each author.
  • Make sure every philosopher is covered with the most important points.
Category Philosoph one Philosoph two Philosoph three Philosoph four
Name and Lifespan
Key Features / Major Work
Notable Aspects
Research Findings
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Creative Wrap-up!

đź‘ĄTask: Discuss first in pairs, then with the whole group

  • Imagine all four philosophers met today. What would they debate?
  • Use your research to script a short role-play conversation.

✒️ Take notes!