Sir, – Even though I support the suggestion of Steven Lydon (Opinion, August 1st) that philosophy should be taught in secondary schools, it does raise the rather alarming prospect of smart-alecky teenagers all over the nation informing their mothers and fathers that they are committing the fallacy of affirming the consequent, or smarmily explaining to a venerable aunt that she is confusing a necessary condition with a sufficient condition.
I think some safeguard against this possibility should be built into the philosophy syllabus – perhaps a proviso that any youngster found using philosophical concepts irresponsibly will be required to write a 10-page book review of Martin Heidegger's Being and Time. – Yours, etc,
MAOLSHEACHLANN
O CEALLAIGH,
Woodford Drive,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.