The first article by Baker on the nature of philosophy and philosophising was compelling and very refreshing as I had not much recollection of the aspects and systemic processes of philosophical arguments and debating. The accompanying article by Mann was also interesting though I will have to reread it (both actually). Initially, I did not appreciate what the author had to say because while I was reading I thought he seemed, that he was rather to be making little sense in providing an argument, or discourse on actual modern philosophical thought - at least as so affected in contemporary academia. It was however nice to look at the various branches or areas of philosophy and was interesting to see a map of the philosophical 'science', further as the article progressed to be offered thoughts on how he might draw a map - and inspired me to think how I might draw a map of the fields of philosophy - sadlly it seems the academic map leaves out notably existentialism and philosophy of literature and culture, though I think it still exists in our university, though subtley not-often spoken and poorly represented as specific classes and studies.
I took note in Baker's article when mock debating the positive impact studying philosophy can have on anyone and everyone in our society. She essentially states that many people have to utilize clear and critical thinking for different roles that people live: being a responsible citizen, a good friend or super parent...this list goes on. I am glad to be in this class as it strives to tackle probably the most urgent problem we earthers face today, the world's issues of sustaining or reclaiming activism for a healthy environment....I think, in fact that when much of field or applied philosophy began, it could (now) be called Environmental Philosophy.
Drawing a map to see how the branches of philosophy, and all science, has expanded from philosophical inquiry. Although not addressed in this article is the change difficulties of specialization, something we hope to avoid in this class. In modern academia, a person must aim to become an expert in a very small area of science essentially avoiding the big picture. Other than that, it is good to have an understanding that philosophy is basically the roots of all knowledge. A Doctor of Philosophy is still the name we give to those who have become experts in their field of choice.
ReplyDeleteJon, I often need to reread philosophy articles, too! There is so much to take in that it is nearly impossible to get it all at once. Be sure to raise in class any questions you might have about the readings.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has some background in philosophy (although it may be a little distant in time), I'm looking forward to your contributions in class. The point you picked up on in Baker's article, that philosophical thinking has benefits in lots of areas of life, is something that I strongly believe. I hope we'll be able to show in our class that philosophical thinking can both illuminate environmental problems and help us toward better solutions of those problems. You mentioned existentialism--one of your research papers could be about what existentialism would advise us about environmental policy making.