Being that each student signed up for this class, I assume that everyone wants to learn and explore the ideas of philosophy. When applying my philosophy on how the class should be directed, I think that there really doesn't need to be a specific way of teaching the class.
Ideas are meant to bounce around the room, opinions are meant to be vocalized, and frustration can be guranteed for some, if not, most students. With 30 different individuals running the class, it is near impossible to not have conflicitng points of view. It is true, that certain students will talk at the highest volume possible before the conversations turns into shouting, but that's a good thing- it means that students are listening (or pretending to listen) to each other and using their brains. Philosophy has everything to do with the brain, so this class is a good check up that makes sure we use it from time to time.
Yes, I and many others can get upset or perplexed with certain topics, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't dive deeper and find the real meaning behind them. It was from our class discussions that I learned to think beyond what I know, and to explore the unknown terrains of life. Personally, these class discussions fascinate me. It's a time where I can trully inspect the differences of people and enrich my understanding of foreign opinions.
After discussing a compilation of the varying themes of life, I discovered that the only reason we have not shown up to class dressed as our favorite philosophers and shouting at the top of our lungs the views they portrayed, is because CPS has regulations and teachers have mouths to feed (this idea seems pretty fascinating, maybe we can call it "Philosopher Showdown" or something cheesy like that. Actually, we should do this. I'd love to see kids show up to class in togas and Renaissance-like attire, yelling from beneath graying beards and thick, handlebar mustaches.)
Though the class can be disruptive to Mr. McCarthy's lesson plan, and we also can get a bit rowdy with our adolescent habbits, I think the little quirks of the class are only natural and aide us in building knowledge and understanding.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
Who Will Win the Election: A "Multiple" Party System
Voltaire and Camus, both great thinkers, would not vote for the standard democrat/republican. These men see beyond the stereotypical candidates and are drawn to ideas not many men wish to dwell upon.
Voltaire, a man of double entendres, risked his life to point out the flaws of society. He would not vote for a Mitt Romney, as his views on the government are extreme and he wants consistency and strength in a leader- not some indecisive wimp. He would not vote for a democrat either, as democracy seems as close to socialism more than any other party. Voltaire, would most likely sleep in on the election day, tend to his "garden", and read The Onion (a popular satirical newspaper.) He would get many a good chuckle out of their articles.
Camus was an absurdist, and believed that humans exist in a meaningless and irrational world. Whoever he voted for would not really matter, as life has no meaning. If given the choice not to vote, he would sleep in and enjoy a pack of cigarettes. If forced to vote on a candidate, he would close his eyes, hum Eenie-Meenie-Minie-Mo and vote for whoever his finger landed on on the ballot. He would find no pleasure in doing so, coolly step out of the voting booth, and take a long walk in nature with his environmentally unfriendly cigarettes. Ron Paul and his libertarian views would suit Camus the most, but Camus wouldn't care enough to look into political party views.
Voltaire, a man of double entendres, risked his life to point out the flaws of society. He would not vote for a Mitt Romney, as his views on the government are extreme and he wants consistency and strength in a leader- not some indecisive wimp. He would not vote for a democrat either, as democracy seems as close to socialism more than any other party. Voltaire, would most likely sleep in on the election day, tend to his "garden", and read The Onion (a popular satirical newspaper.) He would get many a good chuckle out of their articles.
Camus was an absurdist, and believed that humans exist in a meaningless and irrational world. Whoever he voted for would not really matter, as life has no meaning. If given the choice not to vote, he would sleep in and enjoy a pack of cigarettes. If forced to vote on a candidate, he would close his eyes, hum Eenie-Meenie-Minie-Mo and vote for whoever his finger landed on on the ballot. He would find no pleasure in doing so, coolly step out of the voting booth, and take a long walk in nature with his environmentally unfriendly cigarettes. Ron Paul and his libertarian views would suit Camus the most, but Camus wouldn't care enough to look into political party views.
The Meaning of Life
All of the things which occur inside of my head are meaningful. My opinions, ideas, creations, and discoveries-all which my brain encodes and stores within- create purpose in my life. Discovering new information, questioning the ideas around me, and forming conclusions provides and incentive for me to move on, to take life day by day, and to mature to my best potential.
The opinions of others, although meaningful to most people and an important influence in life, do not necessarily matter. They only impact the person who is willing to believe that they do. Life is not meant to be lived by the standards of others- ideally you are the only one who can create a standard or achieve the perfection you desire in life.
I can not tell you the purpose behind living- I can only share what keeps me going. You can answer this question as vaguely or in as much detail as you please, but the size of the view for this matter doesn't change anything.
We each have a different purpose, a different pursuit, and a unique destination. The things which we encounter along the way can only be deemed important by us. We give ourselves importance. We give meaning to an action or object. We manifest our own meaning to life.
The opinions of others, although meaningful to most people and an important influence in life, do not necessarily matter. They only impact the person who is willing to believe that they do. Life is not meant to be lived by the standards of others- ideally you are the only one who can create a standard or achieve the perfection you desire in life.
I can not tell you the purpose behind living- I can only share what keeps me going. You can answer this question as vaguely or in as much detail as you please, but the size of the view for this matter doesn't change anything.
We each have a different purpose, a different pursuit, and a unique destination. The things which we encounter along the way can only be deemed important by us. We give ourselves importance. We give meaning to an action or object. We manifest our own meaning to life.
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