Archive for 2012
Deane Curtin: Fulbright Scholarship in India Focuses on Translation of Western Philosophy into Tibetan
An article on the Gustavus homepage chronicles Deane Curtin’s exciting sabbatical work, collaborating with the Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, to begin translating classic works of western philosophy into Tibetan. (Here’s a piece from the LTWA webpage!) Not incidentally, the Dalai Lama is also urging Tibetan Buddhists to study Buddhist philosophy […]
John Biewen on THIS AMERICAN LIFE: “Little War on the Prairie”
So, what can you do with a philosophy major? You can create an episode of the award-winning radio documentary program THIS AMERICAN LIFE, about the Dakota Conflict, and the resultant mass execution of Dakota men that took place in Mankato. Here’s the description on the TAL website: Growing up in Mankato, Minnesota, John Biewen says, […]
NOVEMBER 15 is World Philosophy Day!
This year’s theme is “Future Generations.” World Philosophy Day is a UNESCO-sponsored day: In establishing World Philosophy Day in 2005, the General Conference highlighted the importance of this discipline, especially for young people, underlining that “philosophy is a discipline that encourages critical and independent thought and is capable of working towards a better understanding of […]
Peg O’Connor is back in the TIMES
Our own Peg O’Connor is back in the New York TIMES online column, “The Stone,” this time with a piece about the “hijacked brain” as an analogy for addiction. Keep it up, Peg!
Philosophy/Classics Kickball Smackdown V
Word of the Day for Thursday, May 17, 2012 omphalos \OM-fuh-luhs\, noun: 1. The central point. 2. The navel; umbilicus. 3. Greek Antiquity. A stone in the temple of Apollo at Delphi, thought to mark the center of the earth. For a brief, shining moment this afternoon, the omphalos moved from Delphi to the […]
It’s Arev Kickball Smackdown…
…and the Philosoraptors have bared their canines. The disemboweled remains of what is believed to be a horse of Trojan manufacture were found on the doorstep of the Classics Department this morning. The carcass was accompanied by what appears to be a page from an epic tale recounting a centuries-long battle between a race known […]
Will I’ll Have Another have another?* An alumna is betting on it!
As this blog has already noted, I’ll Have Another, the winner of the 2012 Kentucky Derby, is owned by a man who, at one time in his life, made his living as a philosophy professor. In honor of this notable achievement, an anonymous alumna, horse lover, and racing fan has issued another challenge grant! […]
Philosophy Students at the Annual Celebration of Creative Inquiry
Students in the spring Philosophy of Food seminar participated in Celebration of Creative Inquiry. They include the following twelve students (only some of whom, alas, your humble reporter managed to photograph): David Krebs, “The True Value of Fast Food” Robert Miner, “Perceptions of Alcohol, an Ethical Look at Consumption” Lance Switzer, “Abandon Ship: Engaged Buddhism’s […]
Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes? “Ha!” we say! Yes, “Ha!”
Monday, May 7, early rising philosophers were greeted with this apparition in the departmental offices in Old Main. Closer inspection revealed some clues as to its origin…. and What could it mean? Could the Classics Department possibly be taunting the philosophers, in advance […]
Peg O’Connor in the NEW YORK TIMES
Philosophy and GWS professor Peg O’Connor has had an opinion piece published in “The Stone,” an online editorial column at the Times devoted to philosophy. You can find more about the piece (including a link to it) here