📚 Year 7 Cambridge Philosophy: Summer Preparation and Bridging Course | 七年级剑桥哲学：暑期预习与衔接课程
Starting Year 7 is an exciting step, and beginning to study philosophy opens up a world of big questions and deep thinking. This summer bridging course is designed to help you feel confident and curious before your first Cambridge Philosophy lesson. You will explore what philosophy is, how to construct clear arguments, and how to reflect on fairness, identity, and knowledge. By the end of this course, you will have the essential skills to thrive in classroom discussions and written tasks, turning wonder into well-reasoned thought.
进入七年级是一个令人兴奋的转变，而开始学习哲学会为你打开一个充满大问题和深度思考的世界。这份暑期衔接课程旨在帮助你在第一堂剑桥哲学课之前建立信心与好奇心。你将探索哲学是什么，如何构建清晰的论证，以及如何反思公平、身份和知识。完成本课程后，你将掌握在课堂讨论和书面任务中脱颖而出的基本技能，把好奇转变为有理有据的思考。
1. What is Philosophy? | 什么是哲学？
Philosophy comes from the Greek words ‘philo’ (love) and ‘sophia’ (wisdom), meaning the love of wisdom. It is the activity of asking fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, and reality. Unlike science, which often uses experiments, philosophy uses careful thinking, questioning, and logical analysis. Year 7 students start by recognising that asking ‘why’ and ‘how’ is at the heart of becoming a thoughtful person.
哲学一词源于希腊语的 ‘philo’（爱）和 ‘sophia’（智慧），意为爱智慧。它是一种探究存在、知识、价值、理性和现实等根本问题的活动。与常做实验的科学不同，哲学运用审慎的思考、提问和逻辑分析。七年级学生首先要认识到，问’为什么’和’怎么样’是成为有思想的人的核心。
Think of philosophy as a toolkit for your mind. Just as you use a map to find your way, philosophical thinking helps you navigate confusing ideas and disagreements. It empowers you to look beyond simple answers and ask, ‘Is that really true?’ or ‘What do I mean by that?’ This summer, start noticing the questions that pop into your head, and write them down — that is the beginning of philosophy.
把哲学想象成你头脑的工具箱。就像你用地图找路一样，哲学思维帮助你理清混乱的想法和分歧。它让你有能力超越简单的答案，去问：’这真的是真的吗？’ 或 ‘我这么说什么意思？’ 这个暑假，开始留意你脑海里冒出的问题并写下来——那就是哲学的开端。
2. The Art of Asking Questions | 提问的艺术
Philosophers are known for asking questions that dig deeper. Socratic questioning, named after the ancient Greek thinker Socrates, involves asking a series of questions to examine beliefs and uncover assumptions. For example, if someone says, ‘It’s wrong to lie,’ a philosopher might ask, ‘What if lying saves someone’s life?’ This method helps you think more clearly and not take things at face value.
哲学家以提出更深入的问题而闻名。苏格拉底式提问以古希腊思想家苏格拉底命名，通过一系列问题来审视信念并揭示隐含预设。例如，有人说’说谎是错的’，哲学家可能会问：’如果撒谎能救人一命呢？’ 这种方法帮助你思考得更清晰，不只看事物表面。
Good philosophical questions are usually open-ended, meaning they cannot be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. They begin with words like ‘What is…’, ‘How do we know…’, or ‘Why should…’. Practice by turning everyday statements into questions. Instead of saying, ‘Homework is boring,’ ask, ‘What makes an activity boring and is that a quality in the activity or in my feelings?’
好的哲学问题通常是开放式的，也就是说，它们不能用简单的’是’或’否’来回答。它们通常以’什么是……’、’我们如何知道……’或’为什么应该……’开头。试着把日常的说法变成问题。不要说’作业很无聊’，而是问’是什么让一项活动变得无聊，这是活动本身的特质还是我的感受呢？’
3. Arguments and Reasoning | 论证与推理
An argument in philosophy is not a heated debate; it is a set of statements where some (premises) provide support for another (conclusion). Learning to spot and build arguments is central to Year 7 philosophy. A strong argument has premises that are true and reasons that lead logically to the conclusion. A weak argument often relies on emotions or unclear terms.
哲学中的论证不是激烈的争吵；它是一组陈述，其中一些（前提）为另一个（结论）提供支持。学会识别和构建论证是七年级哲学的核心。一个有力的论证具备真实的前提以及逻辑上能推出结论的理由。而弱论证常常依赖情绪或模糊不清的用语。
| English | 中文 |
|---|---|
| Premise 1: All humans need water to survive. | 前提1：所有人类都需要水才能生存。 |
| Premise 2: Maria is a human. | 前提2：玛丽亚是人类。 |
| Conclusion: Therefore, Maria needs water to survive. | 结论：所以，玛丽亚需要水才能生存。 |
This simple structure shows how reasoning works. Over the summer, try to break down opinions you hear into premises and a conclusion. Ask yourself: ‘Do the premises make sense? Do they really support the conclusion?’ This skill will immediately raise the quality of your class contributions.
这个简单结构展示了推理的运作方式。暑假里，试着把听到的观点分解成前提和结论。问问自己：’这些前提合理吗？它们真的能支持结论吗？’ 这项技能会立刻提升你课堂发言的质量。
4. Thinking About Knowledge | 思考知识
Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that asks, ‘What is knowledge?’ and ‘How do we know things?’ A common definition is justified true belief: you believe something, it is true, and you have good reasons (justification). For instance, you know it is Monday because you have a reliable calendar and have lived through the day. But philosophers enjoy testing such definitions with tricky examples.
认识论是哲学的一个分支，它追问’什么是知识？’和’我们如何认识事物？’。一个常见的定义是经过辩护的真信念：你相信某事，它是真的，而且你有充分的理由（辩护）。例如，你知道今天是星期一，因为你有一份可靠的日历并且已经度过了这一天。但哲学家喜欢用刁钻的例子来检验这些定义。
Think about a clock that stopped exactly 12 hours ago but you don’t know it’s broken. When you glance at it showing 3 o’clock, it happens to be the right time. Do you genuinely know the time? Most philosophers say no, because your reason is faulty even though the belief is true. Year 7 students practice distinguishing between knowledge, belief, and guesswork — a skill vital for all subjects.
想象一个正好在12小时前停了的钟，但你不知道它坏了。当你瞥一眼，看到它显示三点，恰好是正确的时间。你真的知道时间吗？大多数哲学家说不知道，因为即使信念为真，你的理由是有缺陷的。七年级学生要练习区分知识、信念和猜测——这对所有学科都至关重要。
5. Introduction to Ethics | 伦理学入门
Ethics, or moral philosophy, examines how we ought to live and what makes actions right or wrong. In Year 7, you will encounter dilemmas that help you think about values, duties, and consequences. One famous thought experiment is the ‘Trolley Problem’: should you pull a lever to divert a runaway trolley, saving five people but causing the death of one? There is no single correct answer, which is exactly what makes ethics so rich.
伦理学，或称道德哲学，考察我们应当怎样生活以及是什么让行为对或错。在七年级，你会遇到各种帮助思考价值观、责任和后果的两难困境。一个著名的思想实验是’电车难题’：你该不该拉动拉杆让失控的电车改道，拯救五个人却导致一人死亡？没有唯一正确的答案，这也正是伦理学的丰富之处。
As you prepare, try discussing simple everyday scenarios with family: ‘Is it ever okay to break a promise?’, ‘Should we always tell the truth?’ Notice how different reasons appeal to rules (it’s simply wrong to lie) or to outcomes (lying can hurt others). There is no pressure to reach a final verdict — philosophical ethics values the quality of your thinking more than your conclusion.
在预习时，试着和家人讨论简单的日常情景：’违背诺言是否有时候是可行的？’、’我们应该永远说实话吗？’ 留意不同的理由如何诉诸于规则（说谎本身就是错的）或结果（说谎可能伤害他人）。不必有压力得出最终裁定——哲学伦理学更看重你思考的质量而不是结论。
6. Fairness and Justice | 公平与正义
What does it mean to be fair? Philosophers explore concepts of justice, equality, and fairness. Imagine three children need to share a cake: should they each get equal slices (equality), or should the hungriest get more (need), or should the one who baked it get the biggest (desert)? These are the beginnings of political philosophy, and Year 7 students learn to identify principles behind their sense of fairness.
公平意味着什么？哲学家探索正义、平等和公平的概念。想象三个孩子需要分一个蛋糕：他们应该每人得到相等的一份（平等），还是最饿的得到更多（需要），又或是烤蛋糕的人得到最大块（应得）？这是政治哲学的开端，七年级学生要学会识别自己公平感背后的原则。
Justice often involves thinking about rules and institutions. Why do we have laws? Are all rules just? A good bridging activity is to examine a school rule and ask what value it protects. For example, a ‘no running in corridors’ rule protects safety. Then ask whether the rule is applied fairly to everyone. These small inquiries train you to think like a philosopher about the society around you.
正义常常涉及对规则和制度的思考。为什么要有法律？所有的规则都公正吗？一个好的衔接活动是审视一项校规，并问它保护了什么价值。例如，’走廊上禁止奔跑’的规则保护了安全。然后再问这项规则是否公平地适用于每一个人。这些小小的探究训练你用哲学的方式思考你周围的社会。
7. Personal Identity | 个人身份
Who are you, really? This is the puzzle of personal identity. Are you the same person you were when you were a toddler, even though your body and thoughts have changed? Philosophers explore whether identity comes from our physical body, our memories, our personality, or a combination. The ‘Ship of Theseus’ story asks: if all parts of a ship are gradually replaced, is it still the same ship? Your identity poses a similar puzzle.
你到底是谁？这就是个人身份的谜题。你还是那个幼儿时的你吗，即使你的身体和想法都已经改变？哲学家探讨身份到底来自我们的身体、记忆、性格还是它们的结合。’特修斯之船’的故事问：如果一艘船的所有部件都逐渐被更换，它还是同一艘船吗？你的身份也构成了类似的谜题。
In Year 7, you’ll have the chance to discuss what makes you ‘you’. Try a summer journal where you reflect on a memory and ask: ‘If I lost this memory, would I still be me?’ Don’t worry about finding definitive answers — the value lies in noticing how our identity seems to be a blend of stories, relationships, and continuous experience.
在七年级，你将有机会探讨是什么让你成为’你’。暑假里尝试写一份反思日记，回顾一段记忆并问：’如果我失去了这段记忆，我还是我吗？’ 不必担心找不到确切的答案——价值在于觉察到我们的身份似乎是故事、关系和连续体验的混合体。
8. Free Will and Responsibility | 自由意志与责任
Do we genuinely choose our actions, or is everything determined by prior causes like genetics and environment? This is the debate of free will versus determinism. If our choices are determined, can we still be held responsible for what we do? Year 7 introduces these ideas lightly, often through stories, to help students reflect on praise, blame, and decision-making.
我们真的能自主选择行动，还是一切都由基因和环境等先在原因所决定？这就是自由意志与决定论之争。如果我们的选择是被决定的，我们还能为自己的行为负责吗？七年级会以轻松的方式引入这些理念，常通过故事来帮助学生反思赞扬、责备和决策。
Think about a time you received praise for a kind act. Did you freely choose to be kind, or did your upbringing simply make you act that way? A philosophical approach doesn’t demand a single answer but encourages you to see both sides. This helps develop empathy when considering why people behave as they do, which is a valuable skill for classroom community and beyond.
回想一次你因友善之举受到赞扬的经历。你是自由地选择了友善，还是你的成长环境仅仅让你那样做？哲学方法不要求一个单一的答案，而是鼓励你看到双方的理由。这有助于在思考人们为何如此行为时培养同理心，这对建立课堂社区及更广泛的交际都是宝贵的能力。
9. Philosophy in Everyday Life | 日常生活中的哲学
Philosophy is not locked away in dusty books; it lives in conversations, news headlines, and the choices we make daily. When you watch an advertisement, philosophical thinking asks, ‘What assumption is this ad making about what I want?’ When you read a news story, you can ask, ‘What evidence is given, and is it reliable?’ Year 7 will teach you to bring this critical lens into all areas of life.
哲学并非尘封在旧书里；它存在于对话、新闻标题和我们每天所做的选择中。当你观看广告时，哲学思维会问：’这则广告在对我想要什么做出什么假设？’ 当你阅读新闻时，你可以问：’给出了什么证据，它可靠吗？’ 七年级会教你将这种批判眼光带入生活的各个领域。
During the summer, pick one ordinary object — a pencil, a smartphone, a sandwich — and ask deep questions about it. Where did it come from? What makes it what it is? What would the world be like without it? These mini-inquiries make philosophy a natural habit and prepare you for the curiosity-driven atmosphere of a Cambridge philosophy classroom.
暑假里，选一个寻常物品——铅笔、智能手机、三明治——并提出关于它的深层问题。它来自哪里？让它成为它的本质是什么？没有它世界会怎样？这些微型探究让哲学成为一种自然习惯，并为你适应剑桥哲学课堂那种由好奇心驱动氛围做好准备。
10. Preparing for Year 7 Philosophy Class | 为七年级哲学课堂做准备
Your philosophy teacher will likely encourage discussion, group work, and respectful debate. To feel ready, practice active listening: truly pay attention to what others say, and then build on their ideas. You can start by having philosophy chats with family at dinner. The aim is not to win but to understand and explore together — a core value in philosophical enquiry.
你的哲学老师很可能鼓励讨论、小组合作和相互尊重的辩论。为了做好准备，练习积极倾听：真正注意他人说什么，然后在他们的想法基础上补充。你可以从在晚餐时与家人进行哲学聊天开始。目标不是赢得争论，而是一起理解和探索——这是哲学探究的核心价值。
Organising your thoughts in writing is equally important. Keep a ‘Wonder Journal’ where you record one curious question each day, followed by a short reflection. Don’t edit yourself; let the questions flow. This habit not only builds confidence but also gives you a rich source of ideas to share when lessons begin.
用书面形式整理自己的想法同样重要。准备一本’好奇日记’，每天记录一个引发好奇的问题，然后加上简短反思。不要自我审查；让问题自然流淌。这个习惯不仅积累信心，还能为你开学后提供丰富的思想分享素材。
11. Key Skills for Young Philosophers | 小哲学家的关键技能
Critical thinking means not accepting claims blindly but examining reasons and evidence. In Year 7, you’ll develop this by identifying assumptions and evaluating arguments.
批判性思维意味着不盲目接受主张，而是检查理由和证据。七年级时，你将通过识别假设和评估论证来培养这种思维。
Clarity of expression involves choosing words carefully and explaining your ideas step by step. Philosophy rewards those who can say complex things simply.
表达清晰度涉及仔细选择用词，并一步一步解释你的想法。哲学会奖赏那些能把复杂事物说得简单的人。
Open-mindedness is the willingness to change your mind when presented with good reasons. It is a strength, not a weakness, to say, ‘I hadn’t thought of that — my view might need revising.’
开放心态是当面对充分理由时愿意改变自己的看法。能够说出’我以前没想到——我的观点可能需要修正’是一种力量，而非弱点。
Intellectual empathy helps you see issues from another person’s perspective, an essential skill for both philosophical dialogue and everyday kindness.
智识共情帮助你从他人的视角看待问题，这既是哲学对话也是日常友善待人的基本技能。
12. Recommended Summer Activities | 推荐暑期活动
Read a children’s philosophy book such as ‘Sophie’s World’ (simplified versions) or ‘The Philosophy Files’ by Peter Worley. These use stories and dialogues to bring philosophical ideas to life, making them ideal for pre-Year 7 preparation.
阅读一本儿童哲学书，比如《苏菲的世界》（简化版）或彼得·沃利的《哲学档案》。这些书通过故事和对话将哲学思想生动呈现，非常适合七年级前的预习。
Watch short animated philosophy videos on topics like Plato’s Cave or the Trolley Problem. Then try to explain the main idea to someone else in under two minutes. Teaching is one of the best ways to deepen your own understanding.
观看关于柏拉图洞穴寓言或电车难题等主题的短篇动画哲学视频。然后尝试在两分钟内把主要观点解释给别人听。教是深化自身理解最好的方式之一。
Create a ‘Philosophy Jar’ with your family. Write different philosophical questions on slips of paper, pull one out each evening, and take turns sharing your thoughts. This routine turns big ideas into a daily, joyful challenge and primes you perfectly for your new course.
和家人一起做一个’哲学罐子’。在纸条上写下不同的哲学问题，每晚抽出一张，轮流分享你们的想法。这一习惯将宏大的思想转化为每日的快乐挑战，为你学好新课程做好充分热身。
Published by TutorHao | Philosophy Revision Series | aleveler.com
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