Two of my favourite philosophers are my kids.
... they ask questions that bypass political jargon and social posturing, exposing the lazy assumptions I don't even realize I'm making. It is in these moments—when a simple 'why' forces me to re-examine a fundamental belief—that philosophy stops being an academic exercise and becomes a vital, living practice. It keeps my thinking honest and constantly renewed.
Thinking Together
Philosophy isn't about having all the answers; it's about the curiosity to find them. David believes people are at their best when they work together to figure something out. In a world of quick responses, curiosity, questioning, and conversation are not just academic exercises—they are essential, practical ways of thinking.
Better Questions is about actually doing philosophy. It is a space for examining arguments, questioning assumptions, and discussing difficult problems. By listening to how others reason and working out what follows from different ideas, we learn to think more clearly for ourselves.
Habits of Thought
Curiosity
Cultivating curiosity about the world is an important skill. It allows us to avoid making incorrect assumptions. And it is the driving force behind most genuinely effective thinking.
Honesty
It's important to know when to say, 'I don't know.' Honesty helps us distinguish distinguish between what we truly understand and the assumptions we lean on to get through everyday life.
Respect
I believe we must fully inhabit someone else’s argument before we attempt to answer it. To listen respectfully is to seek understanding first while reserving judgment and without interrupting.
A Personal Note
David has taught philosophy, ethics, law, and critical thinking from primary schools through to postgraduate levels. He holds postgraduate qualifications in philosophy, law, and corporate governance.
Philosophy has been the intellectual thread running through my life.
For me, philosophy is a practice of thinking carefully about what we believe, what we value and why. Better Questions is about helping people develop that practice for themselves: to think clearly, critically and creatively, rather than simply being told what to think.