Smart Woman Online

Philosophy Matters

New Book Focuses on Children

July 29, 2008
By Kathy Hudson

New Book Focuses on Children

Thirty-five years ago I was riding in a car in Spain when it was hit by another and pushed airborne. Because our driver had the presence of mind to turn off the ignition and line the wheels up perpendicular to the field below, our car neither caught fire nor flipped. The foresighted driver was my college friend Marietta McCarty, who turned her mental acuity to writing Little Big Minds, a book for adults on sharing philosophical ideas with children.

Published in December 2006, Little Big Minds (LBM) was soon No. 15 on The New York Times bestseller list. McCarty was asked to speak on NPR’s Diane Rehm Show, at Yale University and at the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas. LBM has had four printings and is about to go into a second edition. In January it was published in Italy and in March in Taiwan. Meanwhile, McCarty — a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College with a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Virginia — continues to teach at Piedmont Virginia Community College, travel the country to speak and prepare for summer workshops with educators and parents. She is also under contract to write a second book, this one for adults.

Before McCarty’s arrival in Baltimore in May to speak and to sign her book, Baltimore SmartWoman asked her a few questions:

How did Little Big Minds come about?
I realized that children are skilled, natural philosophers. I knew I couldn’t get to but so many schools in my lifetime; I wrote the book so that any adult could talk about ideas and share the wonder of being alive with a child.

In writing this book I was also keeping a promise to my father, who knew how to love not only his own children but all children. When he was dying, he asked me to “write that book.” I had no book in mind but promised him I would. I think this is the book he had in mind.

What was your goal for your book?
To reinvigorate the mental, soulful lives of both children and adults. We are in many ways prisoners of an addictive consumer mentality at the expense of our well-being. The disastrous result of material preoccupations is the loss of peace of mind, [loss of] compassion for those who suffer without basic necessities, and a lack of gratitude for the wonder of being alive. Toys are not us.

Philosophy might seem daunting. How do you break through that?
Philosophy is bone simple. Wonder and curiosity about the world and willingness to engage in good conversation and reflection are available to anyone who wants [these things]. While remaining faithful to the philosophers’ theories, I present their views in an accessible and inviting way.

What do you think stands in the way of Americans’ engaging in meaningful conversation?
A sense of self-importance gallops through American society. [We’ve lost] our sense of humor and much-needed humility [and] the refrain “I’m too busy” echoes everywhere. What about perspective? How can a video game be more important than talking about the true meaning of happiness? How can a trip to the mall preempt taking a hard look at bullying and cliques? It’s clear that several generations have forgotten to discuss the essential meaning of responsibility. Ideas motivate our actions and our choices. We need to think and talk about ideas again for personal as well as national health.

How did you find resources to further your philosophical topics?
I chose the literature, poetry, opera and popular music I love — Aretha Franklin, Mary Oliver, Harper Lee, George Harrison, Mozart, Ravi Shankar and Prokofiev — that I knew would entice child philosophers. I encourage readers over and over to choose books and music that they treasure and to develop art and service projects relevant to their children. Kids really enjoy learning why a grown-up enjoys a musician or poet … it pulls them into a “grown-up world.”

Why do you think your book has been a hit?
The [explanation for the book’s success is] twofold: The key philosophical concepts [form] the foundation that grounds all the subjects covered in a school day. A second reason is that adults are finding their childhood insights all over again and reveling in the remembrance of their own basic, clear common sense and intuitive understanding.

What will your next book be?
It will be for adults to use to explore ideas with each other or on their own. Ten different ideas — simplicity, communication, possibility, etc. — are amplified by poetry, music and literature, documentaries, activities and art. I want adults to have fun trying to make philosophy work to give themselves better, easier, more rich and loving lives. Philosophy is multicultural and timeless, and the book will offer diverse resources and tips on how to use it in a group.

Marietta’s Top 10 philosophical precepts

Asked to name her Top 10 philosophical precepts, McCarty responded with the following:

1. Nonviolence is natural and world peace possible.
2. Internal disarmament comes first. We must let go of anger and self-importance most of all.
3. Simplify. For some, today’s excess is mindless, to the point of utter distraction …
4. … while others struggle to survive day-to-day.
5. Bigger minds open the heart wide so that …
6. … empathy throbs for all that lives.
7. Communication is essential and listening is a skill, and with an open mind and heart …
8. … we can talk to each other regardless of belief and background …
9. … and come to an understanding about decent living without changing
10. Talking about ideas with children, involving adults who love them, changes everything so that we can realize … PEACE.

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