This classroom page expands on ideas from the Episode 7 conversation with Professor Sundar Sarukkai, a philosopher who trained in particle physics at Purdue University before turning to how humans think and produce knowledge.
The episode moves from his barefoot philosophers project, which brings philosophy to children in rural India in Kannada and Tamil, to his argument that AI and personalised media push hyper-individualism and wear down fraternity. The resources below turn those threads into things you can learn from, think with, explore, or teach. The aim is not to make you suspicious of technology, but to help you ask better questions about it.
Start here · Activity
Connection or Control?
Sort everyday technologies by what they do to the people using them. A sorting activity built on Professor Sarukkai's argument about fraternity.
Start the activityLearn
Student-friendly explainers.
- LearnEssay
From Particle Physics to Philosophy
Who Sundar Sarukkai is, why he says leaving physics was not a change of subject, and the big ideas of the conversation.
Intermediate9 min read
- LearnExplainer
What Is Fraternity, and Why Did Ambedkar Care?
Liberty and equality get most of the attention. A short explainer on the third ideal, and why it matters in an age of personal feeds.
Beginner7 min read
Think
Questions, thought experiments, and challenges.
Explore
Reading lists and further resources.
Teach
Worksheets and classroom-friendly materials.
- TeachActivity
Run a Philosophy Circle
A step-by-step guide for teachers and students to run a philosophy discussion with a class, inspired by the barefoot philosophers project.
All levels40 min session
- TeachWorksheet
Episode 7 Discussion Worksheet
A printable worksheet for classrooms and study groups working through the conversation with Professor Sundar Sarukkai.
All levelsPrintable worksheet