Have you ever taken a class in Philosophy?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on personal experiences with philosophy classes, highlighting varying perceptions of their value. Participants shared insights on specific courses, such as "Philosophy of Science" taught by Dan Siegel at UW-Madison, and the impact of different teaching styles on student engagement. Many expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of instruction, while others found profound value in studying classical philosophy, particularly works by Aristotle, Plato, and Descartes. The conversation underscores the importance of effective teaching in philosophy to foster critical thinking and appreciation for the subject.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical philosophy concepts, including Aristotle and Plato.
  • Familiarity with the philosophy of science, particularly the works of Kant and Einstein.
  • Basic knowledge of symbolic logic and its applications in philosophical discourse.
  • Awareness of the historical context of philosophical ideas and their evolution over time.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the teaching methodologies of effective philosophy instructors.
  • Explore the relationship between philosophy and critical thinking skills development.
  • Study the impact of philosophical education on scientific reasoning and inquiry.
  • Investigate the works of Kierkegaard and their relevance in contemporary philosophical discussions.
USEFUL FOR

Students of philosophy, educators seeking to improve teaching methods, and anyone interested in enhancing their critical thinking skills through philosophical study.

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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