Difference between revisions of "2013 Fall Proseminar Professor Blog"
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Also, let me know if you have any questions about our "poster/responder" system. Looking forward to class next week. | Also, let me know if you have any questions about our "poster/responder" system. Looking forward to class next week. | ||
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| + | Alfino | ||
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| + | ==September 11, 2013: 2nd Class== | ||
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| + | Good discussion, gang. I think we made a start on the problem of how to think about the nature of philosophy given how much our conceptions of it change over time. You all have a good ability to open up a problem, philosophically, which is always a pleasure. | ||
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| + | I think we also have some strengths in group discussion. I will mention one problem that arises in philosophy discussions and which I noticed last night. Sometimes you try to say something complicated in a philosophy discussion and it doesn't come out completely clear. Sometimes you can be aware of this as you're talking or after. It's tempting for the group (being appropriately conflict avoidant) to kind of move on without figuring out what the person was saying. That's all good and well for normal mortals, but I think philosophers are supposed to help each "deliver" their ideas. That's why Socrates, in the Apology, considers himself "midwife" (like his mom). So think about some conversational practices that might help with that. You could, for example, reconstruct part of what you think the person said and leave it to them to take another shot at it. You could ask some questions, etc. | ||
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| + | Finally, I think we're going to excel at desert and breaks. | ||
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| + | Next week we'll be thinking together about what science. This is important to philosophy these days since the question of the relationship between philosophy and science is so contested. More about that later. | ||
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| + | Have a great week. | ||
Alfino | Alfino | ||
Revision as of 15:36, 12 September 2013
Return to Philosophy Proseminar
September 4, 2013: 1st Class
Great to meet you all on Wednesday night. Looking over my notes and memory of class, I feel certain that we have a really diverse and interesting group. I'm looking forward to working with all of you. Please feel free to drop by office hours (M-Th 8-10) or make an appointment just to talk about your philosophical interests and work in the course.
Also, let me know if you have any questions about our "poster/responder" system. Looking forward to class next week.
Alfino
September 11, 2013: 2nd Class
Good discussion, gang. I think we made a start on the problem of how to think about the nature of philosophy given how much our conceptions of it change over time. You all have a good ability to open up a problem, philosophically, which is always a pleasure.
I think we also have some strengths in group discussion. I will mention one problem that arises in philosophy discussions and which I noticed last night. Sometimes you try to say something complicated in a philosophy discussion and it doesn't come out completely clear. Sometimes you can be aware of this as you're talking or after. It's tempting for the group (being appropriately conflict avoidant) to kind of move on without figuring out what the person was saying. That's all good and well for normal mortals, but I think philosophers are supposed to help each "deliver" their ideas. That's why Socrates, in the Apology, considers himself "midwife" (like his mom). So think about some conversational practices that might help with that. You could, for example, reconstruct part of what you think the person said and leave it to them to take another shot at it. You could ask some questions, etc.
Finally, I think we're going to excel at desert and breaks.
Next week we'll be thinking together about what science. This is important to philosophy these days since the question of the relationship between philosophy and science is so contested. More about that later.
Have a great week.
Alfino
