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Philosophy in the Kingdom

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Philosophy in the Kingdom
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2 min read

Philosophy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the cognitive disciplines experiencing a surge in interest in the Kingdom. The Ministry of Education included it in its curricula in 2019. The Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission launched the Riyadh Philosophy Conference in 2021. The Saudi Philosophy Association was established in 2020, and in 2022, the Saudi Center for Philosophy and Ethics was established.

Importance of philosophy in the Kingdom

Philosophy serves as the foundation for numerous intellectual advancements in humanity. The Ministry of Education in the Kingdom has incorporated it into its curricula, commencing from the secondary stage. This inclusion aims to cultivate critical thinking skills through a philosophical lens, bolster the capacity for making wiser and more rational decisions, assess values and virtues, and facilitate the enhancement of public speaking and dialogue abilities among young individuals.

Philosophical conferences and associations in the Kingdom have affirmed the benefits of philosophy and the significance of its questions in tackling daily challenges, facilitating communication between people, supporting a culture of coexistence, and enhancing understanding of others. This is to ensure making more logical decisions by addressing topics that foster critical thinking and encourage open dialogue.

Work paths of philosophy entities in the Kingdom

The Saudi Center for Philosophy and Ethics publishes philosophical research that addresses developmental needs, supports philosophical research production in the Kingdom, and enriches the philosophical landscape through organizing events, publishing, and translating philosophical publications in written, visual, and audio formats. Additionally, it builds educational platforms hosting academies such as the Little Philosopher Academy, the Thinking Teacher Academy, and the Public Philosophy Academy.

The Saudi Philosophy Association has organized gatherings, lectures, and dialogue seminars focusing on philosophical thinking, debate, readings, and philosophical programs, as well as workshops and courses on philosophical writing, creative thinking, dialogue, and how to read philosophy. They have also dedicated workshops for children focusing on little philosophers.

Riyadh International Philosophy Conference

As part of enriching philosophical thought in the Kingdom, the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom, launched the Riyadh International Philosophy Conference, which is an international gathering hosting philosophers and thinkers from around the world to discuss philosophy and its contemporary applications. It targets audiences from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, conducting workshops and dialogue sessions alongside lectures by specialists to establish an annual dialogue space discussing developments in philosophy and its modern applications. The conference aims to provide multidimensional philosophical content for all segments of society and to foster collaboration among stakeholders in the field locally and globally.