2009 Fall Proseminar Student Statements

For our last class, I'd like to invite each of you to make put one or two ideas from the semester in front of the group for discussion. You can upload a paper that you like from this semester (or another) or you can respond in a screenfull or two of text to one of the following prompts:

1. Something new in philosophy that I found this semster and thought interesting (and why).

2. Something new about philosophy that I found this semster and thought interesting (and why).

3. A particular philosophical argument that you found especially good or bad or just challenging.

(You can suggest a prompt to add if you'd like. Also, feel free to use the email utility on the Course Website if you prefer not to post this to a web page.)

Militza Balcheva

This paper is still in the works, so it is still pretty rough. But I would appreciate any comments or suggestions you may have.

Enlightenment and Morality

Enlightenment and morality are so close at hand that one would seem to depend on the other. As it seems, morality, one would quickly assume, is all about what is “right” and what is “wrong”. Enlightenment, in that case, would be all about reaching a higher state of being. One can easily relate this to Buddhism and monks meditating for days on end somewhere in the mountains searching for “self”. But once one looks a little deeper into the meanings of morality and enlightenment, it becomes very clear how these two ends of philosophy can co-exist. There are many definitions of enlightenment. Most commonly enlightenment is defined as reaching a higher state of being. Buddhism explains that to give a definition of enlightenment is to reach that state. But for all practical purposes, it means being “awakened” or fully realizing the teachings of Buddha. For this essay though, I am going to use the definition provided by Immanuel Kant in his essay, What is Enlightenment? and show how morality depends on enlightenment.

Kant defines enlightenment as “man’s exist from his self-incurred minority. Minority is the incapacity to use one’s intelligence without the guidance of another” (Kant, 135). In other words, the social individual has given up his power to think for himself, and would rather leave the job up to someone else. Kant explains that the self-imposed minority is not caused by a lack of intelligence, but rather by a lack of determination and courage to use one’s own intelligence without being guided by another. So in turn, people subject themselves to being looked after by their appointed guardians, and even when given the freedom to think for oneself, people opt for continuing to live in minority because they are driven by laziness and cowardice. Society as a whole cannot become enlightened quickly. People, as a group, do not take very well to new ideas, especially when these ideas are extremes of their norm. Therefore, those who become enlightened, soon become the guardians for the society, until perhaps, a time when society is ready to emerge from their self-imposed immaturity.

Kant’s version of enlightenment is quite different than that of the Buddhists. The way Kant sees it, it is a freedom from the self-imposed oppression and freedom to use one’s public opinion. Also the freedom to have the courage to think for oneself is as vital as well. There is also another type of enlightenment: that is individual enlightenment. The individual enlightenment is really not that different from the enlightenment described by Kant or the Buddhists. It is only a different path. People vary from each other greatly, thus their path of enlightenment will differ from person to person. This is how it should be. The important thing to remember is that the final destination is the same enlightenment.

This type of enlightenment allows people to make progress on their path through everyday experiences. This is how enlightenment can be reached. Merely going on about one’s day can slowly lead one on that right path. Conversations with friends, family, or daily drama are all factors which can contribute to that path. Life changing experiences are also contributors: loss of family, natural disasters, great memories, bad ones, each one of these experiences teach a lesson which, if we choose to understand, will take us one step further onto our path of enlightenment. When that point is reached the power and focus of the objective enlightenment will be understood. As the Buddhists explain enlightenment, it will be one under which all will share. It doesn’t matter the journey that a person takes, the ending result will be the same. As long as a person defies the guardians and takes the step to freedom of oppression, and he emerges from his self-imposed immaturity, enlightenment will be understood, and in turn, morality will be solved.

This ties into morality very smoothly. First, however, I will address what morality is. By having definitions of both, it is easier to understand how the two concepts connect. Moral evaluations and the reasons given for what is right and what is wrong vary from person to person. But as we have seen in society, the majority of the population would agree on several views about what a person can and cannot do. Therefore I will use the minimum conception of morality as explained by James and Stuart Rachels: “Morality is, at the very least, the effort to guide one’s conduct by reason – that is, to do what there are the best reasons for doing – while giving equal weight to the interests of each individual who will be affected by what one does” (14). Now that we have the basic definitions that we will refer back to in this essay, it is time to break down the connection between morality and enlightenment.

Because moral evaluations vary from person to person, as a whole, that is counting the entire world population, we cannot agree on what morality truly is. We may develop a “minimum conception”, but that is only a foundation, a basic building block, for a variety of philosophies and arguments. Overall, as a population of “free” thinking, intelligent beings, we cannot agree on a definition of morality. This is the key. Out of the massive number of people, there emerge those select few who have escaped from their self-incurred minority, and perhaps have realized what morality truly is. Those select few, become the “guardians” of the rest of society as Kant explains (138). These guardians, keep us in our immaturity by giving us the option of doing everything for us. “The guardians who have kindly undertaken the supervision will see to it that by far the largest part of mankind, including the entire ’fair sex,’ should consider the step into maturity, not only as difficult but as very dangerous” (Kant 135). These people understand that it is a great power that comes with attaining enlightenment, and will therefore do everything they can to ensure that it comes on naturally and slowly. Otherwise chaos among people would ensue. By keeping check on the rest of society, we don’t have to think for ourselves; which keeps people from becoming enlightened, and the guardians remain in power. These guardians can then “explain”, I’m using the word loosely, to us what morality is. Because we continue to live in our self-imposed immaturity, we don’t know any better, and differences in the definition of morality and what is right and wrong, emerge, leading to arguments among people. Because these select few have reached enlightenment, they can feed us different views and definitions of morality, and further arguments among people in society emerge. Therefore, we can never fully understand morality, until we ourselves have reached enlightenment.

Since these guardians can feed us any information they like, and society is living in a self-imposed immaturity and is too lazy to think for themselves, we constantly disagree on the definition of morality and we can never fully figure out morality, until we begin to think for ourselves, and have the courage to use our intelligence to pull ourselves out of that self-incurred minority.

However, we can anticipate some arguments against this line of reasoning. One argument that can be presented against this is, people are not controlled by guardians, but these guardians are the spokesperson for the society, which on its own, has figured out what morality is. This would seem like a good argument but it can be easily refuted. If it is true that people, on their own, figured out what morality is, then there would be a universal understanding and agreement on morality. If morality has been defined, and people have all reached enlightenment per say, there would be no disagreements on the definition of morality, and debates on controversial subjects about what is right and wrong, would not be an everyday occurrence in our lives. But as it can clearly be seen, people have their own opinions and they vary from person to person, and group to group, culture to culture. If, however, each individual has the courage to start thinking for himself, and each individual reaches enlightenment, we can obtain a universal definition of morality and all debates would cease, because we would know the true meaning of morality.

Under this, may rise the argument: Who is to say that your enlightenment will be the same as mine? At first glance this would seem a very good question. However, no matter which definition we use, the enlightenment will be the same. Enlightenment means that a person has a full understanding of everything. Enlightenment does not discriminate. Because it’s in a sense, a higher state of being, when reached by all, will the same for you as it is for me and anyone else to becomes enlightened. We can call it anything we like. So it doesn’t matter if it’s reaching awareness, fully understanding the teachings of Buddha, or emerging from our self-imposed immaturity. In the end, if we reach enlightenment, we will have a full understanding of everything, and most importantly, we would understand morality.

Another argument against this that may be presented is: Morality is based off of centuries of experiences that people have gone through. When adding centuries into the mix, and going back thousands of years, before the birth of Jesus, just about everything that can happen to a person would have happened. Here I am excluding nuclear wars and the like as we have not yet had a global war. Most of these experiences would have been recorded and referred back to in times of need. Therefore, society would have developed a sense of morality based on these past experiences. This can again be addressed by referring back to enlightenment. If society once again had figured out what morality is based on experiences, then we would see a universal agreement on what morality is. Once again, we find this to be quite the opposite. Therefore, the only way that we can define morality, and be in full accordance with each other, is by obtaining enlightenment. This cannot happen overnight or in several years or decades. For society as a whole, to reach enlightenment, will take time, as it is a slow process. Because at that point, people have to stand on their own two feet, and have the courage to question and disobey and to think.

Finally, when looking at this all together, we see that that only way true morality can be achieved, found, understood, practiced, etc., is by first obtaining enlightenment. We must first merge from out self-incurred minority and leap towards the uncertainty of life.

Works Cited

Kant, Immanuel. Basic Writings of Kant. ed. Allen Wood. New York: The Modern Library. 2001.

Rachels, James., and Stuart Rachels. The Elements of Moral Philosophy. 4th ed. New York: McGraw Hill Inc. 2007.

--Mbalcheva 06:01, 7 December 2009 (UTC)

Eric Hanson

There have been a couple of things during my time as a philosophy major that I have really enjoyed. The history sequence, and faith and reason. The last meeting Dr. Bradley touched on the importance of the history sequence in the major and I think he was right on the money. If you jump into contemperary philosophy discussions without any knowledge of the vast tradition throughout the years, it's very likely your not going to adequatley understand the issue at hand or your argument might already have been shown to be inadequate. An example could be the postmodern critiuqe on the problem left by Kant: we can't know a thing in itself. If I would have heard of Kant saying that before taking any philosophy, I would have thought he was insane. While I agree with the postmodern critique and think that Kant is incorrect on the issue, I am coming from a position of understanding why he came to that conclusion and what problems he was attempting to solve. With that in mind, rather than unfairly, and unreflectivly writing him off as insane, I've come to see him as a brilliant philosopher who I disagree with. A lot of my criticims come from other philosophers from the history sequence (such as Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas)as well as others who I think are right to hold we can know a thing in itself.

I've found the history sequence to be very helpful in viewing the issue of faith and reason. I find a lot of contemperary problems dealing with faith and reason are very similar to problems encountered during the medieval times. A big one today has been trying to reconcile the evolutionary paradigm--in which modern biolgoy is commited--with Christianity. There is a position that holds what is going on today with evolution and Christianity is very similar to the medieval period where the works of Aristotle were translated into latin. The Greek science of the day held the maxim: "from nothing, nothing comes." This seemd to be in direct contradiction to the Church's doctrine of creation ex nihilo. Thomas Aquinas was able to synthesize these two views into an integrated whole that I think does justice to both faith and reason and can also be applied to the contemperary debates today.

The issue between faith and reason is a prevelent "hot-button" issue. There have been the debates about what should be taught in Science between "Darwinists" and Intelligent Designers." There was a "Nova" episode on PBS that covered the conflict in Dover Pennsylvania. There was a documentary about the topic called "Expelled" which covered the same conflict but made the issue more about academic freedom rather than one theory over the other. There is another documentary titled "Collision" where Christopher Hitchens (an avowed atheist) debates Doug Wilson (a pastor) about whether Christianity has been good for the world. The issue also came up during the last Presidential election in the "Saddleback Presidential Forum." The faith/reason topic is prevelant in our culture and I think both sides would be well served to know that this issue has historical significance and this significance is useful in clarifying the topic. I think jumping into the discussion without any kind of understanding of whats being discussed is much like me refering to Kant as being insane without knowing why he holds the views he does. I feel extremely blessed and fortunate that I have been able to be exposed to these philosophic aspects as a result of being a philosophy major at Gonzaga.

Colin Pickett

I have to say that this semester was particularly eye/mind opening in terms of my faith thanks to Dr. Tkacz. I had read previously Aquinas' arguments for the existence of God, and various summations of essential points regarding Christian Metaphysics, but Dr. Tkacz really opened up a lot of ideas and presented them with incredible depth and clarity.

As a seminarian I am expected to develop the intellectual tools required to articulate and defend the points of faith that constantly come under attack from the secular world. I think that with the classes I have taken this semester, these skills are beginning to take definite shape. The cosmological argument for the existence of God has been especially intriguing, as well as John Paul II's Fides et Ratio, which provides a comprehensive look at the faith and reason issue in the modern world. I am finding that there are not only reasons for faith, but that faith itself is reasonable.

This semester in pro-sem has been eye-opening as well. While there were few things that genuinely piqued my personal interest, the whole experience has definitely helped to further establish my philosophical views. So far I find myself in the neo-Thomist camp with some curiosity towards phenomenology, with a continual interest in ethics. For me, there seems to be little need to go beyond Aristotle and Aquinas for leading a good life. Kant is intriguing to me and I have a clearer grasp on his phenomenology and aesthetics than the other phenomenologists we have read. The entire post-modern view, so far as what we have read in class, honestly disturbs me, and appears to represent a very unhealthy way of living and looking at life. Coming from a Christian background, the works of Foucault and Rorty are way off the target.

What this semester has done, also, is to increase my appreciation for philosophy in education. I wrote a brief opinion paper for pro-sem outlining my belief that the scholastic trivium ought to be reintroduced into basic education: As more children are able to attend K-12 public schools in the United States and in other developed countries, a greater need presents itself. This need is not necessarily more teachers, larger schools, or better computers. This need roots itself in the essential structure and final cause of public education. Without this need, I feel, education is, and will be, turned into the rote systematization and indoctrination of the skills of economically viable professions, instead of, to paraphrase Plato, a turning of oneself towards the good and truth. The great identity crises of young people, desperately searching for meaning through ridiculous and harmful means, the dissatisfaction with life and careers, and the general laxity towards moral issues in the modern world, I feel, stems from a general lack of proper education which naturally includes philosophy. My position is that philosophy is the essential need and oft-neglected foundation of a good education, and, therefore, it must be reintroduced as a basic component of every person’s education. I think that education should comprise the traditional trivium (logic, grammar, and rhetoric) as well as ethics and metaphysics, in correspondence with the sciences and humanities. What the Greeks, Romans, and Scholastics understood was that logic, grammar, and rhetoric are necessary to make an articulate and thoughtful person. Today, we understand that emotional appeal, Spell-Check, and PowerPoint are sufficient to make a person get by in life. I think that elementary through middle school should devote a great deal towards the trivium. Without logic, a person cannot adequately understand the sciences, mathematics, the difference between fallacies and solid arguments, and the power of the mental faculty itself. Without grammar, a person cannot adequately form coherent logical thoughts, see the importance and power of language, nor possess a self-awareness of one’s own dignity as a literate, rational being. Without rhetoric, a person cannot adequately present coherently formed logical thoughts in an articulate and well-designed manner. One can barely go for one minute in a modern social situation without hearing the word, “like” used as a conjunction, “uh”, or “you know?” To paraphrase Simon and Garfunkel, people are talking without saying anything. Once high school rolls around, an adolescent’s mind is formed well enough to begin ethical and metaphysical studies: the more abstract yet highly pertinent fields of philosophy. If a person has mastered the trivium, the next progression is to ask, “what should I therefore do?”, and, “how do I fit within the universe?” Notice that due to a lack of answers to these basic questions, teenagers turn to pre-marital sex, drugs, and socially self-destructive groups such as emos, punks, hippies, and jocks. Teenagers want, according to psychologists, self-understanding and meaning in their lives and relationships. Ethics provides a solid structure that governs one’s actions, and metaphysics provides the greater picture and meaning for existence. Public schools, fearing the undesirable result of offending minority groups and deviants, can easily present ethics and metaphysics in “neutral” ways so that no one comes away with hurt feelings. Teachers can present without bias various ethical systems such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, leaving the logically minded youths to decide for themselves which method, if any, they prefer. Similarly with metaphysics, the larger pictures of the universe, whether theistic or a-theistic, can be presented for the adoption of the students. Today it seems that we have two conflicting opinions as to the goal of education; some say it is to prepare young Americans with the skills necessary to enter the competitive workforce, and others say that it is a turning towards the good and truth. I feel that by including the trivium along with ethics and metaphysics in K-12 public education, both goals can be harmoniously satisfied. Philosophy undoubtedly increases scientific and problem solving abilities in individuals. If, therefore, more people are trained in philosophy, they can increase productivity and competition in whatever field of work they choose to enter, thus improving the economy. If people are trained in philosophy, then they possess a greater understanding of life and the skills necessary to pursue truth and goodness, thus inclining people to live good lives. If we possess only one of these goals in education, then we are naturally bound for difficulty and unhappiness. On one hand, we may have people in the work force who are miserable because have no meaning in their lives, and on the other hand, we have very good people that suffer the consequences of having an incompetent economy. Philosophy in public education, I think, is a tool that guarantees better, happier, and more productive people. I think that it is atrocious how misdirected the youth of today are, because of the seductive power of marketing and advertisements. I think that it is extremely saddening to hear of young people turning towards drugs and promiscuous lifestyles that devalue their existence as moral, rational agents. I think that it is a stark sign of the times, that ethical and metaphysical ideas are kept out of the public forum and education, simply to satisfy the boisterous voices of select minorities. How we deal with education in the next generation indubitably will affect the direction and condition in which this nation will travel.

Dale Tuckerman

Some of the material we covered in the faith and reason class peaked my interest. Particularly the idea that faith is a "non-overlapping magisterium" to reason. I think that the Cosmological Argument is a great example of the way that they are shown to be overlapping and harmonious, so I wrote an essay (for another class) on how compelling the argument is:

History seems to show no favorites as to what religious traditions great thinkers started from. Ancient philosophers for the most part started from a polytheistic view of the world, with some exceptions. Medieval Philosophers in the western tradition by and large began from a theistic point of view (mainly Islam, Christianity, and Judaism). At the beginning of modern period of philosophy, philosophers started from a theistic model, but as time went on, they migrated more and more into a mixed group of pantheists, theists, atheists, and agnostics. Emphasis on the atheistic viewpoint seemed to gain strength as the philosophical landscape continued to change into that of our contemporary time.

However, despite this strong history of varied religious backgrounds of great philosophers, if one is inclined to see progress towards better thinking through time, then it may seem that the atheism and agnosticism that has become so prevalent of late is part of a trend that is leading us towards better reasoning. What, then, is the reasoning behind the still strong theistic tradition in philosophy and science? Brian Leftow writes that more than half of American scientists consider themselves theists, and hundreds of theists he himself has met are among the intellectual elite of the world (194 Leftow). Are these educated people standing in the way of progress of reason towards truth?

No, these theists are not standing in the way of reason, but rather standing firm in reason's own solid tradition. One of the reasons that theism is not only a viable philosophy, but that it is in fact a solid foundation upon which philosophy should start from is the Cosmological Argument for God's existence. Examination of this theistic reasoning for God's existence and existence itself will make it apparent that it is not only a reasonable explanation, but a convincing and unshakable one. Counter arguments to this position will then be considered and responded to, followed by a brief analysis of where all of these arguments, taken together, leave us.

The theistic tradition of philosophy grounded in the Cosmological argument for God's existence (a philosophical tradition traceable all the way back to Aristotle) rests on the observation that we live in a world of conditioned realities. Conditioned reality is anything that which is dependent upon something else (a condition) for its existence. If we take for example, as Robert Spitzer does in his book New Proofs for the Existence of God, something as common as a cat, we can see that that cat is dependent upon the cells that make it up. These cells are in turn dependent upon their molecular structure, which are dependent upon atoms, which are dependent upon sub-atomic particles, and so on (Spitzer 85). These conditioned realities require an unconditioned conditioner for them to exist, that unconditioned conditioner, as Thomas Aquinas points out is a reality “that everyone calls 'God'” (Summa Theologica 1.2.3).

All conditioned realities must be ultimately conditioned by and unconditioned conditioner because they cannot be argued to be conditioned by an infinite series of conditioned conditioners nor by a finite series of only conditioned conditioners. If conditioned realities are said to be conditioned by an infinite series of conditioned conditions, then nothing conditional can exist. An infinite series is by definition incomplete (unless you consider a complete infinity, which has a host of problems with contradiction in our universe – see Spitzer 5.IIIB), and since each conditioned reality requires that its condition be fulfilled for it to exist, and therefore its condition's condition to be fulfilled, and so on, then no condition's condition is fulfilled – meaning no conditional reality can exist!

Similarly, if there is a finite number series of conditioned conditions with no unconditioned reality conditioning them, then they cannot exist. Obviously, if there is a linear relationship between the series on conditioned realities in question, then the first reality cannot exist since it's conditions are not fulfilled, thus collapsing the whole chain into nothingness. Likewise, if the series is made to be circular, none of them can come into existence, since for a conditional reality to exist, it must have a preexisting condition, then a circular series would require that that conditional reality preexist itself (since it would be in the chain of conditions required for its own existence), which is of course absurd.

Are we left then with a necessary unconditioned conditioner to explain the existence of anything? Not according to Bertrand Russell, who claims that we cannot ask such a question about something that we cannot experience like the universe (Reichenbach 3.2). For Russell, it is over extending ourselves to claim that we can apply the idea of contingency to the whole of existence, for him the universe is “just there, and that's all” (qtd. in Reichenbach 3.2). Also, Hume's observation that our idea of cause and effect (and so contingency) seem to be merely a habit that we have, certainly not an a priori idea with necessity, would undermine the first premise of the argument if it is to claim a priori status. At the very least, Hume's observation strengthens Russell's assertion that we cannot apply contingency to something we have not (possibly cannot) experience, since the argument for contingency would have to be inductive.

These arguments against the Cosmological Argument seem to be far from fatal. The adoption of Hume's rejection of causal necessity would make the universe unintelligible, which is arguably absurd - against everything we experience. If cause and effect are not necessary, then it would be likely for us to experience effects happening without cause. If we found it likely that effects would happen from no cause, then we would not trust science, or at the least we would not consider it to be as solid as we do. But, as shown by our trust in and progress in science, we do not find it likely that effects come about without causes. This being the case, it does not seem so unreasonable (though perhaps it should be done with due consideration of its possible non-necessity) to apply the idea of contingency on even those things that we cannot experience.

The Cosmological Argument is a sound start for philosophy in that it is a firm argument for why anything exists. It is a long-standing argument with much force behind it. Ultimately, however, it does stand on a principle that is susceptible to Humian skepticism – but it should be noted that most of our physical science which we put so much trust in relies upon this same critique. This being the case, the seeming trend of degrading theistic philosophy seems to be less of an implicit call for theists to get out of the way of reason, as philosophy moving away from the sure path of reason it claims to follow.

Certainly there are other philosophical objections to theism - it is the same with every philosophical ideal that exists. However, as Brian Leftow argues, this by no means requires that theism should be rejected (Leftow 197). In fact, as has been shown, the Cosmological Argument serves to make theism a solid starting point for philosophy to begin at (a coherent explanation of existence). I would even argue that this foundation for existence is so compelling and without equal that it serves as a challenge to philosophies that oppose theism. These philosophies opposing theism sometimes claim to have 'progressed' in their thinking past theism – progressed on a basis as reasonable as that shown theism has? I have yet to see such a foundation. However, even if such a foundation was to be put forth, it would find itself against more than just the arguments found here, for, as Spitzer points out, the contemporary progress of physics only seems to be giving more and more credence to this long-standing philosophical foundation of theism (Spitzer 2).

Works Cited

   Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica.

   Leftow, Brian. “From Jerusalem to Athens.” God and the Philosophers: The
   Reconcilliation of Faith and Reason. Ed. Thomas V. Morris. New York: Oxford
   University Press. 1994. 189-207

   Reichenbach, Bruce. “Cosmological Argument.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
   Sept. 2008. <http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/cosmological-argument/> 19
   Nov.2009.

   Spitzer, Robert J., S.J., Ph.D. New Proofs for the existence of God: Contributions of
   Contemporary Physics and Philosophy. (Awaiting Publication in April 2010)

--DTuckerman 04:55, 7 December 2009 (UTC)

Taylor Wilkinson

What has gripped me throughout all of our many topics and widespread discussions is not necessarily the content itself (although the content has been stimulating and indeed extremely useful in broadening my philosophical horizons) but more important is the significance of philosophy itself—as a practice—as way of living life. Many hold that philosophy is useless—saturated with obscure academic blathering and squabbling with questions like “how many angels can dance on the head of a pin” as the poor scholastic philosophers have endured as a (tongue-in-cheek) criticism. In one sense, stepping just a little bit out of my “philosophy student” shoes I can see how somebody outside our circle could see our practices as “out there” and impractical.

Many times I have come out of philosophy classes bewildered after trying to work through philosophical claims only to end up shrugging my shoulders and leaving it for a mess of cluttered “extraterrestrial” thoughts. But more often than not, I have come out of class with a “philosophical high” as if I have had my eyes opened and truth has revealed itself. These are the moments I live for as a philosophy major, this is why I endure the sometimes out-of-this-world claims and dense rationales by men (and women) exponentially more brilliant than I could ever hope to be. Of course the philosophical high only lasts a week or two and at very most a month, as all good things must come to an end.

I started my studies as a Platonist, then an Aristotelian, then a Thomist, a Humean, a Kantian, so on and so on. It seems that every new philosopher we cover in the history series I subscribe to their school of thought (there are a great many exceptions of course, like Berkeley, I’m not a fan of him, or rather his philosophy). I am sad to say that I have not yet found “my people” in philosophy with any great solidity. I of course realize that I am somewhat of an infant (albeit an increasingly informed one) in my philosophical pursuit. I stand in the “blooming, buzzing confusion”, as William James famously stated (this is taken out of its context, but it’s catchy and works for my emphasis). But given my philosophical homelessness do I give up my pursuit? No way. I in fact embrace it. I do try to find the solid ground on which I can stand through the hurricane of the oft-overwhelming and vast landscape of literature that we delve in to.

I am very (and quite uncomfortably) close to the end of my structured studies here, and I plan on continuing this pursuit without the helping hand of the professors at Gonzaga University. My quest, however, will not be a shallow hobby since I do in fact believe that “the love of wisdom” has important—if not outright practical use that is invaluable to the development of my character. After all, “the life unquestioned is not worth living” so says our father Socrates. He was, and is, dead right. Humans are “philosophical animals”, and not pursuing some sort of philosophy is like leaving your legs to atrophy while playing the soccer game of life (stupid analogy, but you get the point). I cannot imagine life without all the big questions, and the brave quest that we take on to find the answers; as sappy as it is, perhaps it’s more about the journey than the destination, and the journey only ends via the great equalizer of our mortality.

Indeed, philosophy is “practicing for death”—the preparation and beautification of the soul before it departs the confusion of the world. So in our preparation we must adhere to the Socratic method of “following the evidence wherever it leads”. This is a lifelong maxim to stand by, and most definitely a worthwhile one. Antony Flew, known as one of the most prolific and steadfast atheists of our time has followed the Socratic principle his entire life; and at the ripe old age of 81 he “converted” to deism. This is illustrative of the fact that Philosophy (like any academic endeavor) is certainly a lifelong pursuit that can change one’s worldview in dramatic and important ways.

So what really have I learned from this pro-seminar, and by extension my philosophical studies during my time here? I have learned the methods, the logic, and the critical rigor required of one to flesh out the rationales of the great authors of philosophy as well as the great authors to be. These tools are necessary for understanding content—the real meat of philosophy—so that I may follow the argument wherever it leads “all by myself” just like the big boys. A benefit (beyond the ones mentioned) is also an awareness of my philosophical maturation, as well as my weaknesses. I have not yet found “my people” but I am confident that I will find somebody to adopt me, being the orphan that I am in this philosophical world. And to those lingering critics of philosophy—my great practical answer to them is stolen from Socrates: I am preparing myself for death, duh! --Twilkinson 09:24, 2 December 2009 (UTC)

Sean Williams

Philosophy wears many hats. When asked to describe a single thing in or about philosophy that I have learned or found interesting this semester, I was struck by the diversity of material and myriad of arguments, positions and methods that we have covered over the semester. The overwhelming diversity of topics and arguments I have discovered this semester has fundamentally changed my notions of philosophy and my own positions within these issues.

To be entirely honest, these topics sent me to a dictionary nearly every week. Before this semester, I had little to no knowledge of phenomenology, ontology, phenomenology, fideism, thought experiments, physicalism etc. My philosophical ignorance of the many dimensions of philosophy prior to this semester was pretty extensive.

This is also one of my favorite parts of my philosophical education. The larger variety of things I learn; I realize that I know even less. I love seeing new ways to look at things and learning about someone’s interpretation of some aspect of our lives. When I am exposed to a new idea, I feel like my eyes are being opened wider to the world around me and I feel like I am working towards leading a more fulfilling life.

Sometimes, I am overwhelmed by a certain philosophical argument but after I mull it over I find that I am pretty much always happy to have learned about it, whether I sympathize with it or not. An example of this was Sartre’s suggestion that the fundamental question of philosophy is whether or not to kill oneself. Before I really analyzed his position, I found this argument both compelling and depressing. By being exposed to such a variety of arguments, I think it has helped me to entertain an idea without agreeing to it.

I now find the diverse material that we have covered spilling over into my everyday life. I am reminded of different philosophical arguments and ideas when I watch a movie or even in my own daily actions. For example, I am often reminded of game theory because all of my roommates have space heaters in their bedrooms. We have agreed not to leave them on all the time, but one of my roommates always “defects.”

Overall, I would say that the most interesting thing I have taken away from pro-seminar is a better grasp of philosophy as a whole. Philosophy reaches a multitude of topics and sometimes the boundaries between philosophy and other fields, such as psychology and economics can be a gray one. SWilliams2 05:44, 7 December 2009 (UTC)