Read the original work by Sartre' on Existentialism:  Bottom of page 72-74.


Assignment Due Friday - 10 points.  You can do this one of two ways:


1) Comment on the following question on the blog (or respectfully comment on someone's comment).


OR:


2) e-mail or hand in via paper form your thoughts on the question. 




Question:  Whether you totally agree, totally disagree or some of both with Sartre's ideas here, is his perspective negative or positive, or both - why or why not?

I emailed you a couple of pictures. 

Over the weekend I was at the “Creativity Center” in Dubuque.  It was kind of a self-pottery making place, with a some painting, a Lego station, some small machine things, and some opportunities for classes for both kids and adults.  We were just looking around to see what it was.  I took a couple of pictures there that I want you to comment on – on the blog.   Notice the first picture:  “Feel, See, Think Wonder”.  At first glance (“Prima Facie’), these all seem to work together.  Philosophically, however, some would argue that “Feel and See” are largely different concepts than “Think and Wonder”.   In fact, some would argue that they are in two totally different camps of epistemology.  How so???  Comment on that.  Don’t worry about being right or wrong, just comment on it.

 

For the second picture, Pablo Picasso was a very famous European painter, sculptor and print-maker and he was also a poet and playwright.  He would be considered an a major authority on aesthetics, and a reliable source for art in general.  Since I didn’t know what he meant by his statement I thought I would ask you.  What does he mean?     

 

Use the blog to comment on these

 

10 points.  Due by this Friday – January 16^th.

Check your emails - I added a couple of pictures. 

Over the weekend I was at the “Creativity Center” in Dubuque.  It was kind of a self-pottery making place, with a some painting, a Lego station, some small machine things, and some opportunities for classes for both kids and adults.  We were just looking around to see what it was.  I took a couple of pictures there that I want you to comment on – on the blog.   Notice the first picture:  “Feel, See, Think Wonder”.  At first glance (“Prima Facie’), these all seem to work together.  Philosophically, however, some would argue that “Feel and See” are largely different concepts than “Think and Wonder”.   In fact, some would argue that they are in two totally different camps of epistemology.  How so???  Comment on that.  Don’t worry about being right or wrong, just comment on it.

 

For the second picture, Pablo Picasso was a very famous European painter, sculptor and print-maker and he was also a poet and playwright.  He would be considered an a major authority on aesthetics, and a reliable source for art in general.  Since I didn’t know what he meant by his statement I thought I would ask you.  What does he mean?     

 

Use the blog to comment on these

 

10 points.  Due by this Friday – January 16^th.

Summary of Russell - pp. 33-36

Summary of the main points of Bertrand Russell's article on the meaning of Philosophy and why it should be studied - and a couple of my thoughts :).
pp. 33-36.


-There is a practical reason because it expands the mind and causes us to question what we normally would not questions.


-The question is more important than the answer.


-the "aim" of philosophy is knowledge.


-Philosophy is important for unity in Science and questioning self (or what we think we know).  Russell says philosophy helps us "step outside" of something and ask what it is.  When you ask "what is physics"  you are actually outside of physics looking in.  To gain knowledge we must be impartial, and philosophy helps in this process.


-Philosophy needs to be able to "adapt" to some degree, but to say everyone is always right all the time is a copout.


-Considering those who never study philosophy, they may lose out on an opportunity to practice "enlargement of the self", which eventually leads to more open-mindedness.


-A quote by G.E. Moore:  Ethics does not equal Ethical Living.  We study philosophy for the sake of it.  Russell talks about "the union of the self and not-self".  My interpretation of that is the quote:
"Ya don't know what Ya don't know"  Jay Robinson, Head Wrestling Coach U of  Minnesota


-Russell says to "go outward" and expand yourself.  Buddhists would say "go inward" and expand yourself.

Question 2015 Class

What might be some common day-to-day philosophies that we either have, study, could have, or could study right now in real time?  Let's see how many areas and things we can list.  I'll go first with some ideas so you get my drift.  As you will see by my selections, it's okay to have opinions.  Be appropriate.  You can and should comment on each others thoughts

The philosophy of refereeing Olympic-style wresting.   The referee should be in the background almost like a ghost, but in position to anticipate calls.   He/she should have some verbal communication to cause offense, but unlike some others I don't think its my "job".  If FILA wants more offense they should go back to the days of the mandated "head up" rule.  The referee should flow deliberately to anticipate position,  but not run or become choppy like a folkstyle referee.  Refereeing is part art.   There is nothing more silly looking than a guy running around a mat like a chicken with his head cut off, trying to be the center of attention.

Folk music: music that is acoustic is good music, and the lyrics tell a story.  It's hard to beat Pete Seger, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young.

There is no real purpose in keeping every single legal fish you catch these days.  There's a metamorphosis of sorts, I think, in the development of a true appreciation of the river. Releasing a fish reminds us that we are part of nature, and that we should only take what we need.

Some people think that if you don't catch a trout with a fly,  that its not really trout fishing (like in the movie a river runs through it). I think that trout are not as cunning as the romantics like to portray.  My philosophy is if they will take a Panther Martin, than go ahead and use one.   It's not a sin and you won't go to hell for it.

If you qualify for the state softball tournament in Ft Dodge you pay 400 bucks for your whole team to stay the whole week. They let your coaches stay in the same facility with your players and it's included in the cost,  it's close to the facility, and they provide monitors. It's about kids.  If you qualify for anything else it's going to cost several thousand dollars minimum.  It seems like it's all about Des Moines.  Also,  that wrestling tournament could happen in two days, not four. They preach to us to guard instructional time, but what actually happens doesn't promote that philosophy.  I think that the Des Moines area could create a more economic solution for state tournaments like Ft. Dodge has done.  Those dollars saved could be used locally for other things for kids.  Success should not be punished.