Philosophy

Category: Philosophy

  • John Biewen on THIS AMERICAN LIFE: “Little War on the Prairie”

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    heldke

    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!

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    heldke

    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

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    heldke

        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

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    heldke

    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…

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    heldke

    …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!

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    heldke

      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

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    heldke

    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!”

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    heldke

         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

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    heldke

    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  

  • Brain Science Podcasts for Philosophers

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    heldke

    This year’s Nobel Conference holds much of interest for the philosophically-minded (ar ar); the areas of intersection between brain science and philosophy of mind are many and various. If you find its issues to be intriguing, you might also be interested in The Brain Science Podcast, a monthly podcast that is described as being “for…