UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING PHILOSOPHY IN BRAZILIAN EDUCATION

Abstract

Philosophy plays a fundamental role in developing critical thinking, intellectual autonomy, and citizenship. In this context, this study aims to analyze the importance of Philosophy in Brazilian education, highlighting its contributions to the development of critical reflection and the comprehensive education of students. This is a qualitative bibliographic study based on books, scientific articles, and official documents concerning Philosophy of Education, as well as on the contributions of classical and contemporary authors such as Rubem Alves, Lev Vygotsky, Hans Kelsen, Paulo Freire, and Dermeval Saviani. The results demonstrate that the teaching of Philosophy promotes argumentative skills, critical analysis of reality, and the exercise of citizenship, thus contributing to the education of autonomous individuals who are aware of their role in society. It is concluded that valuing Philosophy in the school environment represents an important means of strengthening democratic, critical, and humanizing education.