Have you ever taken a class in Philosophy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around participants' experiences with philosophy classes, exploring various perspectives on the value and impact of such courses. The scope includes personal reflections, critiques of teaching quality, and the perceived importance of philosophy in education.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a positive appreciation for philosophy, noting its impact on critical thinking and personal growth.
  • Others recount negative experiences, citing poor teaching quality and a lack of engagement in the material.
  • A participant mentions the difference in course structure and teaching style as a factor in their enjoyment of philosophy classes.
  • Several participants argue about the perceived necessity of philosophy in education, with some suggesting that it fosters independent thinking.
  • There are claims that the dismissal of philosophy by educated individuals reflects poorly on public understanding of its value.
  • One participant shares a personal story of disappointment after a positive initial experience with philosophy in high school, highlighting variability in teaching effectiveness.
  • Another participant discusses their journey from studying philosophy to finding a passion for mathematics, indicating a shift in interests over time.
  • Concerns are raised about the general public's perception of philosophy, with calls for better communication of its relevance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the value of philosophy classes, with no consensus on their overall worth or impact. Some find them enriching, while others view them as a waste of time.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying experiences based on course content, teaching quality, and personal expectations, indicating that outcomes may depend heavily on these factors.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the intersection of philosophy and education, as well as those reflecting on the value of humanities in STEM fields.

Have you ever taken a class in Philosophy?

  • Yes

    Votes: 37 80.4%

  • No

    Votes: 9 19.6%
  • Total voters
    46
  • Poll closed .
  • #61
EnumaElish said:
I had always been partial to philosophy, in particular philosophy of science. So I read Thomas Kuhn and Karl Popper when I was in college. But first, some background. In the seventies philosophy was still sort of hip (the post-war french had a big role in popularizing philosophy -- Brirain had the Beatles, France had the Existentialists, and for example "cutting edge" psychology [Lacan] and history of western institutions [Foucault] were overlapping with philosophy). In college, the soc. sci. and the humanities had the hippest and better-looking people while other departments had little of either, and their student population was significantly skewed toward "far too many men and too few women." Which, taken altogether, produced an interest in me toward soc. sci. & philosophy classes. I ended up taking grad-level Critique of Pure Reason. The prof. knew the stuff and was a very good teacher; she was serious (almost stern) and also a little paranoid, she thought my best-ever paper deserved only B because it was "written so well" that it could not have been "anything but plagiarism." I am not resentful for having taken the class, though.

bolded mine: Wow. Just wow, and DAMN, I'd love to read that paper.
 
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  • #62
EnumaElish said:
I ended up taking grad-level Critique of Pure Reason. The prof. knew the stuff and was a very good teacher; she was serious (almost stern) and also a little paranoid, she thought my best-ever paper deserved only B because it was "written so well" that it could not have been "anything but plagiarism." I am not resentful for having taken the class, though.

How peculiar. So did she say, "You Kant have written this"?

Sorry. That is truly awful. I would love to read your paper.
 
  • #63
Math Is Hard said:
How peculiar. So did she say, "You Kant have written this"?
:smile:

nismaratwork said:
bolded mine: Wow. Just wow, and DAMN, I'd love to read that paper.
Math Is Hard said:
Sorry. That is truly awful. I would love to read your paper.
Thanks; you're very kind. I'll try to find it.
 
  • #64
EnumaElish said:
:smile:

Thanks; you're very kind. I'll try to find it.

I appreciate it; I admit, my curiosity has been well and truly piqued.
 

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