I recently reviewed Maria Montessori’s [amazon_link id=”148101692X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Montessori Method[/amazon_link]. Although there were some interesting ideas about pedagogy, the other element that stood out was how outdated some of the science discussed has become. Although this occurred in several different spots, it was most prominent in the section on nutrition. For example: The diet… Continue reading The Montessori Diet and the Pace of Science
Partisanship and George Washington
Merry Presidents’ Day! My what a week we’ve had: a meteor slammed into Russia, South African Olympian Blade Runner allegedly killed his model girlfriend, the Pope resigned, and Congress still can’t get along well enough to do anything of consequence (e.g., avoiding the sequestration) so they go on vacation instead. I suspect one of those… Continue reading Partisanship and George Washington
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
This week, a look at Plato’s Allegory of the Cave:
Philosophy Book Review: The Montessori Method
As a follow-up to the reading of Dewey’s Democracy and Education, I recently read The Montessori Method. Written in 1914, it purports to be one of – if not the first – attempt at scientific pedagogy. The emphasis is on designing education around a method that actually works for the way children behave naturally, rather than… Continue reading Philosophy Book Review: The Montessori Method
Moral Monday: The Wedding of River Song
Merry Moral Monday! Several of us—JustHeath included—here at Philosophy Matters are purveyors of the British science fiction series Doctor Who. In fact, J J Sylvia, the founder of the website, has even written a very good chapter in a [amazon_link id=”0812696883″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]book[/amazon_link] centered on the philosophy of the television program. This past Saturday… Continue reading Moral Monday: The Wedding of River Song
The Socratic Method
I thought I would share the videos I’m creating for my Introduction to Philosophy class in case you’re looking to learn a little more about philosophy. This week we discuss the Socratic Method:
Movie Monday: The Meaning of Life
“There’s everything in this movie, / Everything that fits. / From the Meaning of Life in the universe, / To girls with great big tits. / We’ve got movie stars and foreign cars, / Explosions and the lot / Filmed as only we know how, / On the budget that we’ve got. / We spent… Continue reading Movie Monday: The Meaning of Life
On memes and Burmese pythons
I spend days doing science and some nights at a wonderful place called the Nature Research Center in Raleigh, North Carolina where they host the Science Café every Thursday night. This Thursday the museum was host to an exceptional speaker and herpetologist, Mike Dorcus. While joining a group of scientists, citizens and excited kids… Continue reading On memes and Burmese pythons
On Eliminating Poverty
Recently, we’ve been discussing Peter Singer’s [amazon_link id=”0300103050″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]One World[/amazon_link] book. Last time we noted that most people think the U.S. devotes more of its budget to foreign aid than it actually does. And even when you include private giving, the U.S. is still last in giving among developed nations. Today, I want… Continue reading On Eliminating Poverty
Learn To Meditate: W3D1
This week’s meditation from the [amazon_link id=”0399529950″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]8 Minute Meditation[/amazon_link] is the technique Noting Body Sensations. This is exactly what it sounds like. As opposed to last week when we were listening to the noises outside of us, we’re “listening” to the sensations within our own body. Overall, very similar to last… Continue reading Learn To Meditate: W3D1