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?