Transcript Philosophy - Harrell Land Home

Philosophy
Socratic paradox:
“I know that I know nothing at all.”
Then should we dare a definition?
• Philosophy is the study of wisdom.
• It comes from the Greek words philia (love) and
sophia (wisdom).
• Wisdom gives meaning to daily events and
interprets periods of time.
• It considers everything people know, think, feel,
desire or hope.
• Philosophers are those who ponder eternal
questions.
• Their answers are philosophy.
A philosopher usually holds
these attitudes:
• Belief in one’s mental powers
• A habit of questioning ideas,
theories, and practices
• An inquisitive mind that is
always asking “Why”?
• A global view of the universe
A philosopher uses these tools:
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Logic and reason
Intuition
Observation
Discussion
Synthesis of many bits of information
Philosophers have pondered
these Eternal Questions:
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Why am I here?
What is evil?
Why is evil in the world?
What is the relationship between individual
freedom and the rights of others? Are we free?
Should we be free?
What is my obligation towards myself?
What is my obligation towards the rest of the
world?
Are people inherently good or evil?
Of what value is a living plant, animal,
or human being?
Is there a master plan for the universe?
Are we the masters of our own destiny?
Do you think you have the makings of a philosopher?
• From time to time for the rest of the year we will engage in various
philosophical studies , discussions, activities , and projects. (they tend to
vary from year to year).
• You readers/thinkers/talkers should read Socrates Café, by Christopher
Phillips, and try to get one going on campus. See Socrates Café handout on
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harrellland 8th Philosophy section, and listen to this:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1688260
Just for fun, here are some funny, fictional book titles
based on philosophers’ names:
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Watch Your Waistline by Peter Abelard
Descartes, Before the Horse
Sure You Can by I. Kant
The Grass Is Wet by John Dewey
Asleep at the Wheel by Rudolf Carnap
Henry More, Or Less
Inspection of Sanitary Facilities by George Henry Lewes
Perhaps we can come up with more.
Where do we begin?
Before meeting the first four, you’ll need to hear
this theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07NskEqxG_Y original Monkees’ theme song to introduce their 70s TV
show. It’s what the next clip about philosophers parodies.
And now meet Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and
Diogenes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCsph5Pykvk funny song parody of The Monkees to introduce you to 4 major philosophers
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1mEVA1QQFg 10 Socrates quotes in less than a minute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfkln9UHZUY 10 Plato quotes in less than a minute
________________________________________10 Aristotle quotes in less than a minute
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Looks like we’ll have to make one for our final SPA philosopher. Go to the Famous Quotations
from Philosophers link on the website ( 8th Philosophy) and chose the 10 quotes from
Aristotle that you think are the best to preserve. Copy them and bring them to the next class
meeting and we’ll discuss them down to the final 10 and make our quotes in less than a
minute YouTube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbgHbzrL3d0 Just to acquaint you with him before we
pare him down to 10 quotes in a minute, here’s Aristotle in 3 minutes. This should help you
choose significant quotes.
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Continuing the groundwork
On our website
(Philosophy) you’ll find
links to PowerPoint
presentations on
Socrates, Plato, and
Aristotle…
Continuing the groundwork
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We’ll divide into 3 groups
and for homework you’ll watch the video for your group
and at our next class be ready to tell us everything we need
to know about the philosopher.
• If you want to cruise around the web for additional
information, that’s fine and somewhat philosophical of you,
a lover of wisdom.
Moving right along…
Now that we have laid the groundwork with the great SPA philosophers, let’s meet
two more of the ancient and significant ones and then do some philosophizing.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgM0BI_eROQ 5 minute
documentary of Stoicism. We will watch, take notes, respond and relate.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2r1KaB15ck 3 minute YouTube of
Epicurus and Zeno. We will breathlessly watch and learn.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L3dLWwmDDw More background
(23 minutes) on Epicurus and happiness. Watch, take a few more notes
and jot down ideas and questions that come to you.
Defining and discussing happiness will be our first
Socrates Café session
This and that and interesting finds…
https://www.google.com/search?q=griffin+and+sabine&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=enUS&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5xyPUaOWGqPy0wH9_IAQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=758 II
I have this trilogy in our classroom,
It’s gorgeous and thought provoking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgkBE4Kgq5Q The Matrix and Philosophy
(1 hour) Watch at home if you dare. Students have told me the movie relates and according to this
montage and discussion, it does; but my goodness!
For you fantasy and philosophy lovers. A copy of this book is in our room too.
Mary Wollstonecraft 3 minute video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjalBmkmkvE
Heraclitus and Parmenides, the really ancients. Another 3 minute video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNjmPyHIoOc
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/sophie/