Philosophical Chairs is a strategy for exploring a controversial topic through student discussion. It is not a debate, but rather an opportunity for students to defend, deepen, and fine-tune their ideas through discussion. Students are given a central topic or question that they must choose to agree, disagree or be neutral regarding the answer.
The purpose of this format is to promote discussions. Students are encouraged to keep an open mind by listening to what the speaker is saying without leaping to judgement.