To make it interesting by leading one to realize the connection that exists is simply good sense; to make it interesting by extraneous and artificial inducements deserves all the bad names which have been applied to the doctrine of interest in education. This next section of the book does begin to emphasize – though in… Continue reading Book Club: Democracy and Education part 2
Category: Philosophy
Moral Monday: Trolley Problem and the Fat Man
Last week we looked at the classic philosophic conundrum of the trolley. Nearly 70% of respondents said that they would flip a switch in order to divert a trolley that would then kill one person, but miss 5 others at which it was previously heading. This response percentage tends to line up with surveys that… Continue reading Moral Monday: Trolley Problem and the Fat Man
Philosopher vs. Priest: Wisdom Personified
This week, we are changing things up and Jimmy is asking me a question! Jimmy: The first reading this week is from Proverbs Chapter 9. In what is read at Mass this week, we see wisdom personified as a lady who beckons. The full text of Proverbs Chapter 9 shows Wisdom personified as a Lady… Continue reading Philosopher vs. Priest: Wisdom Personified
Film Friday: Waking Life
Wiley visits Eamonn Healy, Chemistry professor at Austin. Healy discusses human evolution and the values that are associated with it: parasitism, dominance, morality, war, predation. In this scheme “the individual is at the whim of the collective.” He then states that we are beginning a new kind of evolution, which involves bio-technology (artificial intelligence, neuro-biology),… Continue reading Film Friday: Waking Life
Does Truth Matter?
The current political situation in the U.S. frustrates me to no end. A recent NRP report suggests one of the reason things might be so problematic: not only do campaigns not seem to care abpout the truth – people seem to be ok with the fact that this is happening. Here are two examples from… Continue reading Does Truth Matter?
Moral Monday: The Trolley Problem
A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are five people who have been tied to the track by a mad philosopher. Fortunately, you could flip a switch, which will lead the trolley down a different track to safety. Unfortunately, there is a single person tied to that track. Should… Continue reading Moral Monday: The Trolley Problem
The Digital Divide Re-Examined
A common theme in research on teaching and technology is that there is a Digital Divide between generations: digital natives are those younger than about 30 years old, who have grown up with technology. Digital Immigrants are those older than that who have had to learn technology tools such as computers when they were already… Continue reading The Digital Divide Re-Examined
On Intellectual Virtues
After my entry on intellectual virtues and perseverance, my friend Heath suggested that a more clear explanation of intellectual virtues might help to make things more clear, so I thought I would take the opportunity to do that today. This will be a bit more technical than usual, but hopefully the examples will help clarify things. In discussing… Continue reading On Intellectual Virtues
Philosophy Matters Book Club: John Dewey
Today, I’m happy to introduce yet another recurring post, the Philosophy Matters Book Club. Each week we will be looking at a short work or a portion of a book. I would love it if you could read along with us, but even if you’re not able to, my plan is to write about the… Continue reading Philosophy Matters Book Club: John Dewey
Intellectual Virtues and Perseverance
“When looking at the most successful people and organizations, we often imagine geniuses with a smooth journey straight to the promised land. But when you really examine nearly every success story, they are filled with crushing defeats, near-death experiences, and countless setbacks.” – Josh Linkner If there’s one message that I’ve seen popping up in… Continue reading Intellectual Virtues and Perseverance