The philosophy magazine emerges as an institutional initiative aimed at strengthening the critical and analytical thinking of students. This space encourages argumentative construction and dialectical debate on relevant issues both nationally and globally. Furthermore, it allows us to revisit and redefine great philosophical discussions such as freedom from determinism, mortality and immortality or love and hate, thus consolidating a philosophical identity in our educational community.
In its beginnings, the magazine was called Metanoia, under the direction of Professor Andrés Velásquez, and managed to publish two editions. Although the project was interrupted for academic and everyday reasons, its spirit continued to evolve. From Metanoia to Phronesis, students have found in this publication a safe space for free expression and philosophical reflection.
The philosophy magazine Phronesis was born from the recognition of the need to offer students a space for criticism, creativity and free imagination around various topics of interest.
More than a means of academic expression, Phronesis has become an open forum of thought, where students can share their opinions on current and important issues. This project represents the possibility of expressing what previously remained silent, providing a place for reflection that prevents ideas from being lost in anonymity or being relegated to the private sphere.
Volumes
Phronesis magazine has so far published three volumes, each reflecting the intellectual and creative growth of the student community.
Volume I addressed free-thinking topics such as love, guilt, morality and mental health. It was the result of the dedication of teacher Breyman Rodríguez together with students Juan Sebastián Andrade and Sofía Vargas, who gathered the voices and thoughts of numerous students, sharing them with the entire educational community, including teachers and classmates.
Volume II focused on thematic axes such as reason and emotion, freedom vs. determinism, love and forgetting, and to be or not to be. In this edition, the project underwent an organizational renewal, incorporating specialized committees for interviews, articles and graphics. Each committee has a leader and three collaborators, in addition to the support of a faculty advisor who guides and strengthens their work.
Volume III of Phronesis magazine was launched at the end of April 2024, with the central theme “La Colombianidad”. This issue explored national identity from four thematic axes: forgiveness and reconciliation, oblivion and memory, truth and justice, and multiculturalism and biodiversity.
The launch was a special event that included a discussion with students as the main activity. It featured the participation of prominent guests, including the journalist Juan Carlos Garay, the National Poetry Prize winner Diego Armando Peña and the teacher Arleth Guevara. In addition, prior to the discussion, a workshop was held with the cartoonist Nadim Amín, enriching the training experience.
Students were able to participate through various creative modalities: articles, interviews, photography, illustration and comics.
It is worth highlighting the role of the General Editor, Breyman Rodríguez, a philosopher who graduated from the National University of Colombia and currently teaches Philosophy in High School and Social Studies in High School from La Colina School.
“I am convinced that a fundamental part of the process of continuous improvement in education is to promote spaces like this school philosophy magazine, since they represent fertile ground for sowing ideas.”
For the creation and classification of works in the Phronesis magazine, the establishment of 3 internal committees has been necessary:
The Articles Committee: led by Emily and made up of three collaborators:
-Santiago
-Ian
-Ana Sofía
Teacher advisor:
Sofía Medina
The Interview Committee: led by Verónica and made up of three collaborators:
-Juan Felipe
-María José
-Daniela
Teacher advisor: Jennifer Aponte.
The Graphic Committee: led by Juan Sebastián and made up of two collaborators:
-Sofía
-Juan Pablo
Teacher advisor:
Jhon Castrillón.
Phronesis opens its borders: philosophy as a bridge between institutions
In addition to the publication of the three volumes of the Phronesis magazine, the creation of the External Board is planned, a space open to the participation of other educational institutions, both nearby and from different regions.
This initiative reinforces the magazine's commitment to creativity, inter-institutional cooperativism and diversity of thought, essential pillars of its educational proposal. The board seeks to encourage the exchange of ideas, debate and joint reflection on topics of common interest, promoting philosophy as a tool for dialogue, encounter and collective construction.
Philosopher graduated from the National University of Colombia. Currently, I serve as a philosophy teacher in upper secondary and Social Studies in middle secondary at Colegio La Colina. I am also the general editor of the Phronesis philosophy magazine.
As a person and teacher, I am characterized by a strong defense of critical thinking, open dialogue, and an ongoing advocacy for creativity. I am convinced that a fundamental part of the continuous improvement process in education is to provide spaces like this, the school philosophy magazine, as it represents a fertile and suitable ground for students to plant ideas.