Using 3D tools to teach relational reasoning

Proper reasoning is at the core of argumentative competence, and is therefore part of every philosophical training. This paper argues that relational reasoning is rooted in our abilities to deal with three-dimensional spaces. That explains the fact that we reason better when relating premises in a spatial way, and that implies that teaching this type of reasoning should focus on spatial relations. This claim is argued for by using psychological findings and evolutionary theory, and an experiment with high school pupils.