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?