Final Session of Introduction to Philosophy evening class

This evening was not mandatory for anyone except me. Two students came but when they realized they did not have to come and could continue working on their essays they went to do that. I stayed until 9 PM watching Douglas Hofstadter videos in case anyone else stopped by with questions etc. Remember that all work must be in by Monday night to be counted towards final grades. Have a great break and a great career. Keep in touch.

Final session of Introduction to Philosophy

Today's meeting was the final session for Introduction to Philosophy (the Tues / Thurs morning class). We spent the double session watching the movie Ex Machina and discussing the nature of AI, the Turing Test, and eating snacks. I reminded everyone that everything must be turned in before Monday evening the 18th to be counted towards the final grade. Have a great break and I hope to see everyone around town and perhaps in subsequent classes.

Introduction to Philosophy lectures 27 and 28 evening

This evening was our last regular session prior to the final session which will be next week. The quiz questions this evening were do you think this philosophy course (and philosophy in general) will prove a practical thing for you? And the second quiz question is do you plan on coming to the final session (it is not mandatory) and if so which movie would you like to watch and discuss? The videos from this evening are posted here and here.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 29

This session was our last regular class before our final session which is a double class on Tuesday (see syllabus). This was a discussion on David Foster Wallace and the Postmodern The video is posted here. The quiz question regarding the final session was what movie would you like to watch and discuss? I recommend The Circle if you haven't seen it. But we will go with the movie voted on by those that come on Tuesday. The final session is not mandatory so if you have a conflict relax, but if you can come and enjoy a philosophical movie and discussion plaase do. Please make sure all your assignments are in before the final session!

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 28

Our next to last regular lecture before the final session. We discussed the social construction of reality. Quiz question was a humdinger - would you eat horse? Did not make a video of this one.

Introduction to Philosophy lectures 25 and 26 evening

This evening we discussed pragmatism both sessions. Starting with William James and Cornel West, then Dewey. The first quiz question was do you think this video is pornographic? The second quiz question had to do with the Intelligence Squared debate over Greece and Rome. Which do you think has had more influence on our civilization? The videos for the class are here and here.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 27

Today we discussed Schopenhauer's thoughts on art along with Aristotle's conception of tragedy and compared various examples that might be considered tragedies depending on your analysis of their plots based on Aristotle's definitions. The video is posted here (numbered 26). The quiz question was which composers operas do you think reflect the concept of tragedy better, Wagner or Verdi? (see this debate if you have the chance.)

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 26

Today we discussed John Dewey and education as a requirement for a functioning democracy. The youtube video of Boris Johnson and Mary Beard debating Greece and Rome fit nicely as we considered the nature of our republic. How much of a voice does each voter have, how much of a voice should they have, how important is their education regarding the quality of their vote and the impact on government. I neglected to make a video of this discussion. The quiz question is which civilization had a greater impact on ours, Greece or Rome? Or would you say both equally?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 25

Today we discussed William James and other pragmatists with the topic of faith and reason. Cornel West was our media star philosopher as an example. The video is posted here. The quiz question was how should we treat turkeys for thanksgiving? Apparently some get a pardon while others do not.

Introduction to Philosophy lectures 23 and 24 evenings

This evening we discussed first Kant and String Theory. Video posted here. Quiz question was what do you think of the metaphor of string theory, especially viewing it as music, as applied to interpersonal relationships and social change? The second portion of the class was not recorded but discussed Hanah Arendt and Roger Scruton concerning immortality versus eternity. The quiz question was who do you think will be our first female president?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 24

Today we discussed Hanah Arendt's distinction between immortality and eternity. The video is here. The quiz question was who do you think will be our first female president?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 23

Today we discussed repercussions of Kant's theories especially with regard to contemporary physics and string theory in particular. The video is posted here. The quiz question today was what do you think of the metaphor of string theory, especially viewing it as music, as applied to interpersonal relationships and social change?

Intro to Philososphy lectures 21 and 22 evening

This evening we started talking about music and tied that into identity and political identity reading Appiah. The video is here. The quiz question taken from a poll asked do you think you have to be religious to be moral? The second half of the evening we started with James Flynn and the Flynn Effect and for the quiz I asked if you think it is true and if so why? We used this discussion to compare three articles from different time periods to see if there has been progress on the question of the meaning of life. The video is here - though the batteries ran out early.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 22

Today we discussed the difference in IQ over time (the Flynn Effect) and how that was reflected in the readings. The video is here. The quiz question concerned the gas tax that starts in March. What do you think of it?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 21

Today we discussed Kwame Anthony Appiah's concept of identity and political identity. The quiz question was what is your favorite music? The video I made is here.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 19 and 20 evening

This evening we discussed the quiz questions from last week first and then went in to Epicurus, Descartes on consciousness, and a little with David Chalmers on VR. The video is here. The first quiz question is what is your favorite music (and please include a link) the second question was what do you think of group efforts in completing work like the term project for this course?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 20

Today we used class to experiment with the VR goggles and did not go over the lecture. Instead we reviewed a bit of the earlier video from last class where David Chalmers discusses the nature of VR's affects on consciousness. The quiz question was what did you think of the VR experience? I plan on covering the posted lecture material Friday evening and will post the video of that session.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 19

Today we discussed Epicurus on happiness, Descartes on consciousness, and Chalmers on VR. The quiz question was what VR experience would you be interested in next class? The video is posted here.

Introduction to Philosophly lectures 17 and 18 evening

This Friday evening we first discussed Plato's Timaeus, Aquinas' four ways (Cosmological), and tied that in to a discussion on Charater and Flourishing bewteen David Brooks and Miroslav Volf at Yale. The video is here. The quiz question was how does religion make someone good? Glad everyone seemed interested in the comparison with The Nightmare Before Christmas. We next discussed we discussed the Hume - Kant sequence all the way to David Foster Wallace and his meta meta questioning of the meaning of life. Where is the reality that restrains us? As one said in class it just opens up a rabbit hole - not only in our conversations but in what contemporaries talk about. I mentioned the new book Fantasyland. The video from the same lecture made on Thursday is posted here. The quiz question was Would being drunk help you learn a foreign language? (Is there some mental barrier that prevents us from seeing things in other ways?)

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 18

Today we discussed the Hume - Kant sequence all the way to David Foster Wallace and his meta meta questioning of the meaning of life. Where is the reality that restrains us? As one said in class it just opens up a rabbit hole - not only in our conversations but in what contemporaries talk about. I mentioned the new book Fantasyland. The video is posted here. The quiz question was Would being drunk help you learn a foreign language? (Is there some mental barrier that prevents us from seeing things in other ways?)

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 17

Today we discussed Plato's Timaeus, Aquinas' four ways (Cosmological), and tied that in to a discussion on Charater and Flourishing bewteen David Brooks and Miroslav Volf at Yale. I started the camera but it only copied for nine minutes before it quit. The quiz question though was I think a good one. Darned if I can remember what it was. Anybody? Glad everyone seemed interested in the comparison with The Nightmare Before Christmas.Feed back says the question was how does religion make someone good?

Intro to Philosophy lectures 15 and 16 evening

This evening in Introduction to Philosophy lectures 15 and 16 we first discussed lecture 15 regarding Locke, Jefferson, and the nature of Democracy. The lecture video is posted here. The quiz question came from an Intelligence Squared debate - why can't we get good politicians? For lecture 16 we discussed John Stewart Mill's On Liberty. The video is here. The quiz question was what law would you make if you could do it and what people would it oppress?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 16

Today we discussed John Stewart Mill's On Liberty. The video is split into two and part a is here and part b is here. The quiz question today was what law would you make if you could do it and what people would it oppress?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 15

Today we discussed Locke, Jefferson, and the nature of Democracy. The lecture video is posted here. The quiz question came from an Intelligence Squared debate - why can't we get good politicians?

Introduction to Philosophy lectures 13 and 14 evening

This Friday evening we covered Hobbes and Marx for the first half of class and feminism for the second. I did make videos of the two as far as the camera cooperated and they are posted here and here. The quiz questions were what is the future of work? and does a father have as important a role in raising the child as the mother. Thoughts?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 14

Today we talked about feminism. For some reason it was the liveliest class we have had this semester. I totally forgot to turn on the camera even though I had it set up. The quiz question was does a father have as important a role in raising the child as the mother. Thoughts?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 13

Today we talked about Hobbes and the Social Contract, then Marx and Communism. The quiz question was what is the future of work? I forgot to turn on the camera! But we started with the video of Conan the Barbarian the Musical. Talked about ethics as biological. Hobbes as arguing government is a contract. Capitalism as a contract geared to earn profit. Marx as more important today because of his critique of capital.

Introduction to Philosophy lectures 11 and 12 evenings

This is posted for Friday evening's class even though it is now Saturday. Last evening we discussed two topics = the first was ontology in art and the second was free will. The videos are posted here and here though I am not sure either turned out to be the complete session. The quiz questions were the same as Tuesday and THursday sessions: do you think companies should have patents on DNA? And what is the hardest decision you ever had to make?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 12

Today we discussed Free Will and Freedom in general with a little help from Sartre and Dennett. The video is here. And thw quiz question was what is the hardest decision you ever had to make?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 11

Today we discussed Ontology and Art. The video is here. The quiz question is do you think DNA should be patentable?

Introduction to Philosophy lectures 9 and 10 evening

This evening we went over Nietzsche for the first portion of class and the definition of God for the second half. The class opted to skip break and so there was only one video covering a portion of the first half. It is here. Please have a look at the Tuesday and Thursday classes for the videos from those days if you missed. The quiz questions were what do you think about being an Uber Mensch? And what positive things resulted from the Middle Ages?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 10

Today we discussed the definition of God starting with the Ontological Argument of Anselm. The quiz question was What positive things do we have from the medieval ages? The video is here.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 9

Today we discussed Nietzsche's article from Beyond Good and Evil. The lecture video is here. The quiz question was what do you think of being an Uber Mensch?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 7 and 8 evening

This evening we went over the Schopenhauer article and this enabled me to discuss the Hume - Kant - Hegel sequence so we could see what Schopenhauer was critiquing. The quiz question for this part of the evening was what do you think is the most beautiful art? Next we talked about abortion and relatively new issues in medicine and science and their impacts on society. The quiz question was do you think pheromones should be sold in colognes and perfumes or should it be illegal? Two videos from this evening are on my youtube page they are here and here.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 8

Today we discussed A Defense of Abortion by Judith Jarvis Thomson, a famous article that may have influenced the Roe v. Wade decision two years later. The quiz question was do you think it should be legal for people to use pheromones in their colognes and perfumes? I forgot to turn on the camera for class! I will try to make sure I get the video of the same lecture for my Friday night session and post that.

Introduction to Philososphy lecture 7

Today we discussed the philosophy of art looking at an article by Schopenhauer who thinks that art clears the mist. We looked at several videos and compared them. Some from Sleeping Beauty, and others from Beauty and the Beast. In contrast there was Roger Scruton who critiques faking it, and we discussed kitsch in art including Odd Nerdrum who sat on a panel discussion with Sir Roger. The quiz question was what do you think is the most beautiful art. I did video the class though the batteries needed changing midway, so there are two. Here and here.

Introduction to Philosophy lectures 5 and 6

This evening we covered lectures five and six. I did make videos of most of this evening with a break in the middle while the camera uploaded the first video. Lecture five is here and lecture six is here. The quiz questions are the same as the previous two blog posts but the first was how can you know that someone is a witch and the second is what is your happiest memory.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 6

Today we discussed Richard Rorty's Love and Money including along the way a summary of the Four Loves by C. S. Lewis, and a summary of Leibniz'view of the universe as the Best of all Possible Worlds. (This included a bit regarding Voltaire's Candide - we watched a bit of Kristen Chenowith singing the aria Glitter and be Gay from Bernstein's American musical based on Candide - and note that Dr Pangloss is - everyone knows - meant as Leibniz.) In defense of Leibniz' argument I suggest the position of Brian Greene describing this universe as the only one in the multiverse that can support planets, suns, and life, as essentially what Leibniz would mean as well. So God loves the world and us making everything possible but not in the sense that everyone has everything they would like = which is impossible even for God. Going back to Rorty the amazing point he makes which he admits is depressing but none the less what we have to get used to, is the realization that technology is not going to overcome the Malthusian theory that plague, famine, war, and so on, are all part of God's nature and so we should give up on "The South" by which Rorty means the southern hemisphere - but including places like India where families follow the Weberian argument that they need at least eight children to have at least two boys to carry on the family. Depressing. So what about happiness and love? Does love require money? My quiz question is what is your happiest memory? And others I mentioned along the way to depression included Thomas Piketty, Thomas Malthus, and who else? Malcolm Gladwell, the Beatles, and someone mentioned The News. Oh, and I totally forgot to turn on the camera today. Hence my attempt at a more encompassing summary of what I brought up in class.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 5

Today we discussed how we know we know. The Meno, Aristotle's tablet metaphor, Augustine's reply to the skeptic, and Descartes. Added to this, A. C. Grayling was the philosopher whose video discussing China today, the nature of the mind, and the importance of reading, all were mentioned. The quiz question today in homage to the Monty Python was how can you tell someone is a witch? Well, for some if they weigh as much as a duck then they are made of wood. The video is here.

Introduction to Philosophy Friday evening session

This evening we discussed Susan Wolf's The Meaning of Lives and then Thomas Nagel's What is it like to be a bat? The first session video is here and the second here. The quiz question for the first part was what is your metanarrative, or the narrative you use for your life. The second question was does the earth go around the sun or does the sun go around the earth? Or what other way do you explain it?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 4

Today we talked about the nature of consciousness using the text by Thomas Nagel - What is it like to be a bat? I did video the class though I started a few minutes late. The video is posted here. The quiz question for today was with regard to model dependent reality. I mentioned Stephen Hawking's relatively new book The Great Design. I asked does the earth go around the sun or does the sun go around the earth?

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 3

Today we discussed Susan Wolf's article The Meaning of Lives which led to a discussion of Jesus' request from the previous quiz question and various interpretations of what makes a life full of meaning or not. I did start a video recording of the class but the batteries died after 13 minutes so I will try again Friday night when I repeat the lecture for my other section. But for the first 13 minutes the video is here. But heck, it ends even before we got into the main point of the discussion...

Why Roger Scruton?

When asked which contemporary philosopher I most thought thought along the same lines that I do, the first philosopher that occurred to me was Sir Roger Scruton. This little video of a discussion with him regarding his book How to be a Conservative strikes me as answering my own question why I do think this way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eD9RDTl6tM In short, I think he is a rebel. He naturally rebelled as a youth (and so did I) but what we rebelled against was the wave of rebellion in our youth against the status quo. But we learned what the values are that we thought important and identified with the status quo as a result. So to rebel we had to rebel against those who where rebelling against what made our civilization so great. Well, heck, that is me right there.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 1 and 2 Friday evening

This evening we covered lecture 1 and lecture 2 which I have posted on Tuesday and Thursday respectively. Please see those two earlier posts for the quiz questions for part 1 and part 2 and notice I have links to the videos I made in each of those classes as well in case you missed class this evening. I tried to stick pretty close to the same things in those two classes as the two halves this evening.

Introduction to Philosophy lecture 2

Today we met for our second class and discussed Socrates trial and the beginning's of the critical thinking tradition. The quiz question, a variation of the main question in Plato's Euthyphro, was a hypothetical. Assume Jesus comes to your door. You know it is Him and you know He is God. No doubt. He asks that you sell everything you have. give the money to the poor, and then come follow Him. Do you go with Him or not? Do you ask questions or argue with Him about it? The lecture video is posted here.

Intro to Philosophy lecture 1

Today Introduction to Philosophy Phil A201 section 791 met for our first meeting at 10:10. I did make a video for your viewing pleasure and posted it on my Youtube page here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjbnRxsDKaI&feature=em-upload_owner#action=share There was also a last minute quiz question: what are the ten commandments? Email me your response.

Social media's impact on events

Apart from the horrific events that resulted from the clash of people and their theoretical attachments what seems most different today is the instantaneous interaction of people worldwide as the events unfolded. Yes, people died, others were injured, and the sensibilities of people all over were raised to a passion. This seems to be the human predicament. We could argue over cultural clashes between meme saturated individuals that group themselves around others who speak the same memes fluently and maybe even think one another in their group understand the others – though this seems doubtful in the nature of how language works. Even individuals in the crowd retreated in horror on recognizing the reactions of people and back pedaled regarding their own espousal of the memes that were associated with the most radical – though really traditional - vocabularies. Nazi and so forth. While others embraced those very radicalities. Being in the same mob clearly does not imply understanding and cohesion. But what strikes me as radically different is the simultaneity of international response in the media. Everyone has something to say about it – myself included. We are all living those moments together in a way so universal it is astounding to me. The speed of light brings us through the virtual reality of the web into the conflict as it happens – even because of digitization a multiple review of the same view until what we see and experience is totally unlike what was experienced in those few moments by the people on the ground. What we of course belabor and rightfully so, is morality, behavior, radicality, evil. But being immersed in the universal living moment of this event – as well as others such as President Trump’s tweets – is the momentous change that restructures our social interaction.

Logic lecture 8

We did problems 18, 20, 22, 24, 28, 32, 34, and 38 in exercise 8F section IV for test 3. The rest of the class we discussed Quantification. https://youtu.be/xu7s8GaxLGU is the video

Logic lecture 7

This evening we spent most of the time on proofs after going over the rest of the inference rules and replacement rules. There were two quiz questions this evening. The first was do you think God has to be logical? The second was to do problem 11 in exercise 8F section IV. Keep in mind that next week the last part of class will be test 3 based on that exercise.

Logic Lecture 6

This evening we continued to work on symbolic logic. There were two quiz questions. The first was what do you think of relativity? (This comes up regarding the postmodern view that statements and their contradictions can both be believed provided it is recognized that they are true in different linguistic contexts. I used Slavoj Zizek as an example. It is the main reason I think Americans have trouble understanding modern Europeans. The second quiz question was to do problem 8 on page 391. I did make a video of the first part of this evening's lecture. You may find this presentation on relativism interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmYndY0p058

Logic lecture 5

This evening we practiced some syllogisms and went over the rules, and then took the second test. Those that needed more time took them home to work on some more. There was no quiz question since there was a test in class. The remaining portion of the evening we began looking at symbolic logic. No video of class this evening! I did not bring the camera with me. But just going over syllogisms would be a great way to cover what we did in class. Remember also that next week is the July 4th holiday so we do not have class Monday evening. THe syllogisms for test 2 are: 1. EAO-3 2. OAO-2 3. IOO-1 4. AAA-2 5. EIO-4 6. EAO-2 7. EEA-3 8. OIO-2 9. AII-1 10. AAA-1 For each expand them using S, M, and P for the terms, give a Venn diagram, determine if it is valid or invalid, and if it is invalid give the rules broken.

Logic Lecture 4

In class this evening we finished up chapter 5 in the first half and started syllogisms in the second half. So for today the first quiz question is if the A statement "All cowboy hats are smaller than Mexican Sombreros" is true, what would be the truth value of the three other statements on the Traditional Square of Opposition? The second quiz question is, is the syllogism OOO-4 valid or invalid?

Logic Third Class summer session

Tonight we cover Fallacies - and following several studies will treat them as similar to jokes, though clearly not all fallacies are jokes. But the comparison is helpful. Notice Daniel Dennett's treatment of them in his book Inside Jokes. I will play his TED talk as well. So the first quiz question for the first half is do you agree with this comparison of humor to fallacious reasoning? For the second half of the evening we begin covering the Aristotelian system beginning with standard form propositions. If we can we might go on to do some syllogisms. So the quiz question for the second portion is determine if the syllogism EIO-2 is valid or not and give an example.

Logic second class summer session

This evening was our second meeting for Introduction to Logic for the summer session. We covered the chapters up to the beginning of chapter 4 which begins the topic of fallacies. There were two quiz questions. The first was to discuss how objective or subjective you think this article is. The second quiz question is for you to select your favorite comedian and post a link to one of his or her skits on youtube and analyse what sort of fallacy seems to be the pattern the comedian uses in their jokes. For example Eddie Izzard who I think uses amphiboly a lot.

Logic Summer session first meeting

So our Logic course for the summer started this evening with a four hour session. Since it was four hours I asked two quiz questions. The first quiz question was what are the ten commandments. The second quiz question was what did you think of the Ontological argument? There are also videos of the two halves of this evening. First lecture and second lecture. Remember next week we have off because of the holiday. See you in two weeks.

Finals week

So far my Logic class met and we watched Ex Machina and had a great discussion about AI. My Early Modern Philosophy class met and we watched Irrational Man and argued over the ending of the movie. My Afternoon Introduction to Philosophy class voted to watch The Life of Brian which we followed up by watching some of the discussion between John Cleese, Malcolm Muggeridge, Michael Palin, and the Bishop. Wednesday I spent the day in my office downtown grading. Thursday the same - but this evening my evening Introduction to Philosophy will pick a movie to watch and discuss. We shall see which one. Meanwhile, I have been voted this year to deliver the speech at Graduation. To make it interesting I plan to post it on my web site and seek input from the students. I shall post the web page on Facebook to share it around. Details to follow....

Friday evening Ancient and Medieval Philosophy last class before Final

So for our Friday evening Ancient and Medieval Philosophy last class before Final we covered most of the rest of the book to finish up including a few odds and ends along with it - such as who Charles Sanders Peirce was....rather than a quiz question I asked if you have any comments on how to improve the course. Also for our final session note that we will watch a movie decided by those that come next Friday evening. Attendance is optional. But I will be there and watch a movie of relevance to the course and discuss it. Thank you to all who took the course!

Thursday classes - last week before finals

These are the last regular classes before finals. Early Modern Philosophy meets the last time during finals week on Tuesday May 2 at 10. Introduction to Philosophy afternoons meets for the final session on Tuesday May 2 at 1. Thursday evening's Introduction to Philosophy meets at the same Thursday at 6:30 schedule next week. On each of these the class elects to watch a movie and discuss it with regard to its relevance to philosophy. Attendance for finals are not mandatory so if you have a conflict and need to leave early or not come at all it is up to you. I will be there and bring movies that people can vote on to watch. If you have a movie to bring you think might be good we can vote on that too.

Wednesday Logic - last class before final

Today we discussed statistics and their uses and misuses - mostly their misinterpretation. As a central topic of discussion I played some of Sam Harris' podcast with Charles Murray titled Forbidden Knowledge. This was our last regularly scheduled class. On Monday May 1 we have our final session at 1 PM when we will watch and discuss a movie TBD.

Tuesday classes

Today for Early Modern Philosophy we discussed Daniel Dennett and the Brights. The quiz question is have you gotten encouragement for being bright? For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon we discussed Quine and Neopragmatism. The quiz question is how does Quine's Two Dogmas of Empiricism impact the modern world?

Monday Logic

We are rushing through the remaining chapters of the book since this is our last regular week of classes. The quiz question was what movie would you like to see and discuss on our last meeting. May 1: Final session - Final test due via email. Attendance is not required but class meets 1:00 PM - 3:45 PM. We will discuss a movie.

Friday Ancient and Medieval Philosophy class

For Ancient and Medieval Philosophy this evening we finished with Aquinas and moved on to late Scholasticism and the Reformation. The one quiz question for this evening is what movie would you like to see on our final session if you are coming. The second quiz question was how might contemporary events in Europe today seem connected to events in Europe towards the end of the Middle Ages?

Thursday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy we were talking about modern Monotheism and the quiz question for discussion is do you think atheism is a religion? For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon the discussion was on pragmatism and the quiz question was how has Dewey's philosophy of education impacted your education? For my evening section of Introduction to Philosophy both halfs of the class were on pragmatism and the quiz question was who do you think is the sexiest philosopher alive? For the second half the quiz question was how has Dewey's philosophy of education impacted your education?

Wednesday Logic

Today we discussed analogy, moral arguments and perhaps some more. My quiz question is how should the Supreme Court rule regarding issues not covered by the Constitution? (In short, should the court be an activist court or attempt to be more traditional? Here is an example they are discussing today: The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 according to today's docket. (How do you think they will rule on this? I suspect they will approve and let the position stand.)

Tuesday classes

So for both classes today the quiz question was who do you think is the sexiest philosopher alive?

Monday Logic

Today we went over the questions from test 5. The quiz question was what do you think of my analogical argument that Beverly Hills Chihuahua is a frightful interpretation of the Monomyth since it uses comic characters to represent the myth and so under cuts any belief in it. Notice this debate after The Life of Brian came out: Malcolm Muggeridge and John Cleese

Friday Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

For this evening's class we covered a few philosophers on the syllabus for last week that we did not get to last Friday. Starting with Robert Grosseteste who I especially find fascinating. The quiz question I like asking at this point is how amazing is his speculation regarding creation in comparison to the Big Bang Theory? But then we did begin Aquinas who can easily be thought of as the climactic philosopher of the course as he brings everything together and in many ways is still the reigning dogmatist of today. How do you think he achieves that for us?

Thursday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy (which we clearly have gone beyond the early modern....) discussing Quine primarily as the last or next to last cohort in philosophy where personal contact with the greats was a necessary key to becoming a "great" yourself - as Daniel Dennett with Quine for example, leads me to ask how a person can discern priorities today since there is so much available - it is like deciding what part of the ocean you should swim in or where you should fish. How do you prioritize your own studies and interests today? For Introduction to Philosophy we discussed Nietzsche and my question is how do you feel about being an Ubermensch? For Introduction to Philosophy this evening we discussed Marx in the first half and the quiz question was what do you think is the best use of our time in class? Should I suggest videos to watch prior to class and then we can discuss them in an open forum instead of a lecture? The second half of the evening was on Nietzsche and my question is how do you feel about being an Ubermensch?

Wednesday Logic

For Logic today we started going through the rest of the book. The quiz question today is how does the Quantifier Exchange rule impact current thinking? You might find the Wikipedia article on Two Dogmas interesting.

Tuesday classes

Quiz question for today in both classes was what do you think is the best use of our time in class? Should I suggest videos to watch prior to class and then we can discuss them in an open forum instead of a lecture?

Monday Logic

Today for logic we did test 3. Starting Wednesday we should begin covering the rest of the book before the end of the semester.

Friday evening Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

This evening for Ancient and Medieval Philosophy we glanced over several great Islamic philosophers and the Jewish Philosopher Moses ben Maimonides. But most of the discussion was on Islam itself using Tariq Ramadan and Reza Aslan as two references. Note also Hans Kung was the author behind most of my opinions. My quiz question is do you use the truth fairy story for your kids or do you feel stories like that are lying to them? Does the same issue apply to the way religions are taught?

Thursday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy today we discussed philosophers associated with the History of Thought as a contemporary example of Hegelian philosophy of our times. Starting with Isaiah Berlin and including Charles Taylor, Michael Ignatieff, and Frances Fukuyama, I also started the class reading today's article by George Will For the quiz question I asked if you think your education so far is preparing you for your future. Interesting discussion on this in class today! In Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon the topic was Existentialism and Kierkegaard, and Sartre. The quiz question today is what is on the other side of your leap of faith? For this evening's double session of Introduction to Philosophy we first discussed John Stewart Mill and the quiz question on Mill was a fill in the blank. Better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied, better to be a Socrates dissatisfied than a (blank) satisfied. Then for part two we discussed the topic of Existentialism and Kierkegaard, and Sartre. The quiz question for the second half is what is on the other side of your leap of faith?

Tuesday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy this morning the quiz question was on how you feel Dewey's philosophy of education influenced your own schools. For Introduction to Philosophy the quiz question on Mill was a fill in the blank. Better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied, better to be a Socrates dissatisfied than a (blank) satisfied.

Monday Logic

We did more exercises and then introduced the last of the replacement rules today. Next class we will begin exercises using all the rules in preparation for the test which will be April 10. Notice the syllabus has not been updated to reflect this change, so at this point we are behind in the syllabus. No quiz question was given today.

Friday evening Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

In class this evening we went over Boethius, Anselm, Abelard, Hildegard, and John of Salisbury pretty quickly. We didn't pose a quiz question as I recall. But you are welcome to comment on the general thesis I posed that life during the Middle Ages was at least interesting to some people and not really a Dark Age.

Thursday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy we talked about William James, Josiah Royce, American music, Charles Murray, and even religion. So the quiz question was did you ever hear of the Swedenborgians before? (Henry James Sr was a Swedenborgian theologian.) Check out my videos of Bryn Athyn. The grounds. Why did they call Hegel "the old man" while he was in Tubigen? That is the quiz question for Introduction to Philosophy for the afternoon session. For my evening double session of Introduction to Philosophy the topic was Kant and the quiz question was in two parts. You are in traffic that is stuck and three guys get out of their car and try to break in on a young woman next to you in traffic. First part, what is your moral imperative - to interfere or not to interfere? Second part, what do you think you would actually do? For the second half on Hegel the question is Why did they call Hegel "the old man" while he was in Tubigen?

Wednesday Logic

Remember that the next test is postponed from April 3 until April 10. For today the quiz question was write out the eight implication rules. Are you finding these easy to memorize?

Tuesday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy this morning we picked up with Sartre and then started working on American Pragmatism. The quiz question was what music do you think is quintessentially American music? For Introduction to Philosophy today the topic was Kant and the quiz question was in two parts. You are in traffic that is stuck and three guys get out of their car and try to break in on a young woman next to you in traffic. First part, what is your moral imperative - to interfere or not to interfere? Second part, what do you think you would actually do?

Logic Monday

There was almost a quiz today but it was too easy and I did it in class. And then I forgot to think up another quiz question, so there was none today. But we did postpone the next test a week since we are behind in the material. Make sure you are learning the inference rules since test 3 will be to do proofs found on pages 436 - 440 without the book!

Friday Ancient and Medieval Philosophy Augustine lecture 2

There was only one quiz question this evening and that was do you feel that my interpretation of Augustine's theology is similar to conceptions of Christianity you have experienced? Part 1 Part 2

Thursday classes

This morning's Early Modern Philosophy class was on Existentialism and we ended up staying late. The quiz question I asked was why did we stay late? For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon we were doing Hume and I asked do you think philosophy is a complete waste of time? For my double session of Introduction to Philosophy this evening we discussed Berkeley first and the quiz question was do you have a persistent self? Then for the Hume segment I asked do you think philosophy is a complete waste of time?

Wednesday Logic

For Logic today we started looking at arguments using symbolic logic. The quiz question for today is which fallacious argument is similar to Modus Ponens?

Tuesday classes after Spring Break

Today for Early Modern Philosophy we discussed Kierkegaard and Existentialism. The quiz question is what is the meaning of life? For Introduction to Philosophy today we discussed Berkeley and the quiz question was do you have a persistent self?

Monday Logic after Spring Break

Now doing symbolic logic. My quiz question today is contrast hypothetical syllogism and the Aristotelian Syllogism Barbara. How are they similar?

Updated web pages

I have updated my web pages with those courses I am scheduled to teach for summer 2017. As usual for the summer they only run if there are sufficient students enrolled so please let your friends know or join me yourself if you are interested. I will be doing one section of Introduction to Philosophy on line, one section of Logic on the Eagle River campus meeting Monday evenings, and one section of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy also on the Eagle River campus meeting Friday evenings.

Ancient and Medieval Philosophy Friday class

This evening we discussed the Neo Platonists and then started working on Saint Augustine. The quiz question for Plotinus was have you ever experienced being one with everything? For Saint Augustine the quiz question is do you believe in Original Sin?

Thursday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy today we discussed Feuerbach (in connection with Marx, Mill, Comte) and the impact of Humanism on the development of state religions in England and the US following Mill and The Utility of Religion, Comte in France, and through Marx on Communism. The quiz question was what do you think of Marx' line regarding religion being the opiate of the masses? (Sorry I have neglected to bring in batteries for my video camera lately! I keep forgetting.) For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon we discussed Leibniz and Newton and the quiz question I asked was if light passing us at speed C - obviously looks like light to us, what do we look like to light? (Since wouldn't we be traveling light speed to that passing light?) For my evening Introduction to Philosophy we covered Locke and Leibniz. For John Locke I asked the famous question If a tree falls in the forest and there is nobody there to hear it does it make a sound? For Leibniz I asked if light passing us at speed C - obviously looks like light to us, what do we look like to light? (Since wouldn't we be traveling light speed to that passing light?)

Wednesday Logic

For Logic today we started propositional logic so began with the symbols. The quiz question today was how many words in English can you think of that use the dot operator as the truth conditions for their use? Have a nice Spring Break everyone. See you in a week....

Tuesday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy today we discussed John Stuart Mill and Utilitarianism. My favorite Mill question was fill in the blank: Better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied, better to be a Socrates dissatisfied than a (what?) satisfied. For Introduction to Philosophy today we did John Locke and asked the famous question If a tree falls in the forest and there is nobody there to hear it does it make a sound?

Monday Logic test 2

Today in Logic we took test 2. For those who missed the class and didn't take the test or those who want to retake the test please arrange that with me.

Friday Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

For Ancient and Medieval Philosophy this evening the first quiz question was what philosophy of life does this song represent? Lyrics Eblouie par la nuit - Stoic? Epicurean? The second quiz question is what do you think motivated Christian martyrs to sacrifice their lives?

Thursday classes

Early Modern Philosophy class this morning we discussed Schopenhauer and for the quiz question I asked something like is it right for me to discourage people from studying philosophers who are discouraging? For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon we discussed Spinoza and the question I asked for the quiz was do you think his proposition number 15 is correct? For this evening's Introduction to Philosophy class the first quiz question today we did Hobbes and the quiz question concerns the rights you think we should consider necessary for our social contract. How do you think the health care issues should play out in our national discourse? Is health care a right that should be supported by the government? The second half we discussed Spinoza and the question I asked for the quiz was do you think his proposition number 15 is correct?

Wednesday Logic

Today was spent in preparation for the test on Monday. We went over syllogisms and the rules for valid syllogisms. Hopefully, everyone will be ready for the test on Monday. The quiz question today was what do you think of rule 6?

Tuesday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy the quiz question today while discussing Hegel is what do you consider prime examples of the socially constructed world? The video we watched some of is here and it is an excellent introduction to Hegel. For Introduction to Philosophy today we did Hobbes and the quiz question concerns the rights you think we should consider necessary for our social contract. How do you think the health care issues should play out in our national discourse? Is health care a right that should be supported by the government?

Monday Logic

For today in Logic we were going over syllogisms in class but the quiz question was analyze your favorite article from a newspaper today. The one I did was Charles Krauthammer

Friday Ancient and Medieval Philosophy Aristotle

For this evening in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy while talking about Aristotle On the Soul I used Stuart Hameroff as an example and asked the quiz question what do you think of his conception of the soul? (He is calling it Consciousness.) During the second part of class we were talking about Nichomachean Ethics and my quiz question was why is Avril Lavigne so sad in this song?

Thursday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy today we started talking about reactions to Kant. The quiz question was what did you think of the art I brought to class? What does it signify? By the way, that piece is still available if you want to take a selfie with it or something let me know. For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon we started the Modern Period and my quiz question was why do you think the French love Descartes so much? For my evening Introduction to Philosophy course for the first quiz question there are two questions because I can't decide which is better: how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Do you think there is a conflict between religion and science? The second half quiz question was why do you think the French love Descartes so much?

Wednesday Logic

Okay, let's try this again. Is EIO-2 a valid syllogism or not? Today hopefully things became a little clearer.

Tuesday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy today I asked the quiz question if you were in traffic and three guys were trying to beat up a beautiful woman in the car next to you what would be your moral obligation? A second question, what do you think you would actually do? For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon there are two questions because I can't decide which is better: how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Do you think there is a conflict between religion and science?

Monday Presidents Day Logic

Today in Logic we continued to discuss Aristotelian Logic and began putting together syllogisms. The quiz question today is determine if the syllogism AAA-4 is valid or not.

Friday Ancient and Medieval Philosophy Class

For this evening's class we began Aristotle. The first portion quiz question was give me a true statement and explain where on the traditional square of opposition it belongs. For the second quiz question how many categories does Aristotle argue are basic to all things? Does that seem to cover everything to you?

Thursday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy this morning we discussed Rousseau and for the last few minutes Kant. My quiz question must have been something about my treatment of Rousseau but I forget exactly what I asked. Does anyone remember? For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon my quiz question was how would you have like to be a monk or nun during the Middle Ages? For my Introduction to Philosophy class this evening there were two questions: the first quiz question was what did you think of the orthodoxy of Augustine as I presented it? Does that sound like Christianity to you? And the second was how would you have like to be a monk or nun during the Middle Ages?

Wednesday Logic class

Today we were going over the traditional square of opposition. One point we discussed was the inclusive versus the exclusive sense of "or". The quiz question for today was in your family language use do you feel the word "or" was used with the inclusive use or the exclusive use - or both depending on context?

Tuesday Classes

For Early Modern Philosophy this morning the topic was David Hume. The quiz question was concerning Thomas Metzinger's question regarding the nature of the persistent self - basically that there isn't one. But what does it mean to be someone? Today's lecture was on Saint Augustine for Introduction to Philosophy and the quiz question was what did you think of the orthodoxy of Augustine as I presented it? Does that sound like Christianity to you?

Monday Logic

We finished the chapter on Fallacies today and spent the last fifteen minutes looking at the beginning of the next chapter. I gave a brief over view of Aristotle's critique of Plato's theory of knowledge and started the categories. The four statement types that can be true or false are in the text and also here: traditional square. The quiz question today was give a true statement and identify which of the four statement types it is.

Friday class

This evening in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy we discussed Plato's Republic and had a discussion about which culture had more impact on us - the Greek or the Roman and we watched a portion of the video from Intelligence Squared with Boris Johnson and Mary Beard. The quiz question from this is which side do you vote for: Greece or Rome? We also briefly covered the remaining dialogs in our syllabus for Plato and posed the quiz question should we keep the electoral college? (If you think what kind of government we have - representative democracy - republic - what role does the popular vote have or should have.)

Thursday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy this morning I forgot to turn on the camera so did not record the lecture! Sorry! We talked about Bishop Berkeley and his contemporaries - Jonathan Edwards, Jonathan Swift, Leibniz, Newton, Shaftesbury, and the philosophy of British Idealism. There were two interesting questions that came up. One in response to Edwards as an early American Philosopher influenced by Berkeley was what does it mean to be saved? Have you ever been Saved? What do you mean by that? Deborah Hatheway was the person who received the famous letter. But a second question that is the famous one associated with Berkeley is if a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it fall, does it make a sound? So two quiz questions for today. For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon the quiz question question is what does it mean to be a Christian? In my evening double session of Introduction to Philosophy the first quiz question was which of the philosophies that I briefly described do you think is closest to your conception of Eudaimonia? The second quiz question was what does it mean to be a Christian?

Wednesday Logic

Working on fallacies today along with jokes because the relationship seems so obvious. SO for today's quiz question go the opposite direction from last class and pick a fallacy, make an argument using it, and then change the argument into a joke.

Tuesday classes

The quiz question this morning for Early Modern Philosophy was on Leibniz - though I can't figure out how. What do you think of the idea that we're all Klein bottles? The quiz question for Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon was which of the philosophies that I briefly described do you think is closest to your conception of Eudaimonia?

Monday Logic

Today we finished up meaning / definitions in the broader sense of narration. Then went on to briefly cover the chapter on diagramming arguments. But in preparation for next class on fallacies I asked who your favorite comic was for the quiz question. Please send me a link to a sketch if you can. And think what type of fallacy does that comic use as their template for jokes?

Friday Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

For the first half of today's discussions the quiz question is what do you think of Plato's theory of knowledge? And for the second the question is what do you consider Love?

Thursday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy this morning discussing Spinoza my quiz question is which way do you think the argument goes - is that than which nothing greater can be conceived necessarily inclusive of everything? Or can there be a separation of God and the world? For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon on the Nicomachean Ethics, what do you think Eudaimonia is? For my evening Introduction to Philosophy class there are two questions: the first is give an example of a true A statement and show all the other three types of statements using the same S and P, and the second is what do you think Eudaimonia is?

Wednesday Logic

Today in Introduction to Logic we discussed the nature of definitions and meaning and the importance of this to insuring arguments are understood as nearly as possible to what the speaker intended. The quiz question today is what is the difference between a musical meme and a spoken meme? What I was calling Crank in class today is actually called Creak, and also vocal fry.

Tuesday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy today the quiz question was what do you think of the Presidents ban on imigration? For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon the quiz question was is give an example of a statement that is true and the other three categorical statements that are on the traditional square of opposition with it.

Monday Logic

Lecture four started by finishing up chapter one and then moving on to the chapter on language. The quiz question today is what is the meaning of meaning? (For fun see this: Wittgenstein.)

Friday evening class

Only one quiz question for Ancient and Medieval Philosophy this evening and that was if Jesus comes to your door and you know He is God and He says sell everything you have, give the money to the poor, and then come follow Me. - would you go with Him? Or would you argue with Him? The video this evening was only for the first half of class. But I have lectured on the Euthyphro and the Apology elsewhere if you are interested in videos of them. For those interested in the video of Steve Martin and Socrates Death, this is the link.

Thursday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy this morning my quiz question was what rights do you think we have? For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon my quiz question was Do you have a soul and what do you think that is? For my Introduction to Philosophy class this evening the two quiz questions were using the famous death bridge scene from the Monty Python Quest for the Holy Grail the quiz question is what is your name, what is your quest, and what is virtue? and the second quiz was Do you have a soul and what do you think that is?

Wednesday Logic

Today we discussed truth and this brought up the conflict between faith and science. I used Sam Harris as a discussion piece. We also discussed the Ontological Argument. We ended discussing the best music and so my quiz question was what piece of music do you think is the best for occasions when you are sitting quietly listening to music? (Only ten minutes was recorded today because the batteries died.)

Tuesday classes

For Early Modern Philosophy the quiz question was do you think modern people are more selfish then non-modern people? (Pope John Paul II argues this is Descartes' fault in his book Memory and Identity. For Introduction to Philosophy this afternoon I used the famous death bridge scene from the Monty Python Quest for the Holy Grail and so the quiz question is what is your name, what is your quest, and what is virtue?

Monday Logic

For the quiz question today in Logic the question was what is truth? Lecture 2.

Friday evening class

For our first session of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy this evening there were two quiz questions that I promised to post since we didn't do them in class. What did you think of Iphegenia choosing to sacrifice herself for her people? Pythagoras also invented the name Philosophy. So we just barely touched the surface on his influence on the development of philosophy. What do you think of his concept of the arche as number? If you want to see the film Iphigenia it is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcTY7_-gZgw and you can select auto translate and select English and it does sort of okay.

Thursday classes

For my morning session of Early Modern Philosophy my quiz question was does the earth go around the sun or does the sun go around the earth? You might also discuss other models as well - like the Tychonic System! For my afternoon session of Introduction to Philosophy my quiz question was would you have liked a person like Socrates? For my first evening session of Introduction to Philosophy I asked two quiz questions. The first was what are the ten commandments? The second portion of class quiz question was if Jesus came to your door and asked you to give everything you have to the poor and follow him, would you go with him or argue with him?

Wednesday Logic

Our first logic class for the semester began with a discussion of some aspects of language and model dependant realism. The quiz question is why do you think Donald Trump won the election?

Lecture video for Early Modern first class

I made a video of the lecture and it is located here https://youtu.be/gVZFYpxPw3c Sorry the lecture is so boring! But at least here it is for those who missed it.

Tuesday classes

This semester is started! Yeah! For my Tuesday classes the Modern Philosophy class quiz was what do you think the difference between modern and ancient / medieval is? One mention in class was a different authority. Another was empirical evidence as a requirement. What do you think? For Introduction to Philosophy I resorted to a tried and true quiz question: what are the ten commandments?