Philosophy@Utah State

Yes, humans can know reality as it is in itself. And, yes, hell is other people.

Fall 2012 I have the opportunity to teach a special seminar:

Banner listing: PHIL 4900 ST: Tolkien and CS Lewis on Myth, cross-listed under RELS 4910-004 ST: Tolkien and CS Lewis on Myth.

MWF 9:30-10:20

Course Description:

In this course we will first read what Tolkien and Lewis have to say about myth and then we will read some of Tolkien’s and Lewis’ myths.  In reading about myth, we will seek to understand their philosophy of myth, asking questions about myth and its relation to truth, symbolic language and the limits of natural reason, and the role of the imagination in belief.  Then we will read some of their myths (Lord of the Rings, Narnia, etc) to see how perennial truths about God, man, and the universe can be expressed in, and perhaps only in, myth.

No pre-requisites or previous philosophical experience required.  But note that this is a 4000 level course so it will be reading intensive.  Those unable or unwilling to take on thick reading assignments should look elsewhere.

Today (Monday, March 19th) there will be two panels by the USU Veterans Representatives regarding the Iraq war. One will feature philosophy major Will Hollaway, along with other students, veterans, protesters, Iraqi students and possibly others at 1 pm. The second is at 6 pm, called “After Iraq: The costs and benefits of nine years in Iraq,” with potential panelists Jeannie L. Johnson (USU political science), Selin Ece Guner (USU political science), Lyle Holmgren (USU extension), Iraqi students, and VA representatives. The events will be held in the TSC Juniper room.

Philosophy major Carson Bessinger will be presenting a public lecture on March 31st. His talk will be about a project for which he was awarded a grant from the Utah Humanities Council. (Way to go, Bessinger!) I will copy below the press release for the event.

Chapter U of the International P.E.O. Sisterhood, an organization that
promotes education for others, has invited Carson Bessinger, a reciver of the Utah
Humanities Council 2011 Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship, to present his
research on the philosophy of consciousness on March 31 at 4:00 PM at the Accolades
at Hamilton’s 2427 North Main Logan, Utah 84341. Bessinger will be presenting his
research from a paper titled: “Consciousness Enframed: The Alētheia of Qualia,” which
he presented at an undergraduate philosophy conference last year.

Bessinger’s research is an examination of the philosopher Daniel Dennett’s claim that
qualia—the subjective experience of our senses—do not exist, that they are an illusion.
That is to say there is no red that we experience when we see an apple, just a
judgment that it is red. Bessinger argues in favor of Dennett’s account while ultimately
criticizing it using the philosophy of Heidegger.

All are welcome to attend this lighthearted presentation of an examination of
consciousness—what it seems to be and what it might actually be.
For more information regarding this event please call Carson Bessinger 435-881-4212.
For more information about the Utah Humanities Council contact Maria Torres at
torres@utahhumanities.org or call 801-359-9670. For more information regarding the
P.E.O. Sisterhood, call 435-752-5438.

I would like to welcome all applications to join our chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, a national honor society in philosophy. To join Phi Sigma Tau, you need to meet the following requirements:

• You must have completed 1.5 semesters at USU;
• You must have a 3.3 cumulative GPA;
• You must have completed (or are now completing) three Philosophy classes;
• You must have a B average in your Philosophy classes.

Note that you need not be a minor or major in Philosophy. If you are interested, please send Huenemann a note with your A number. Our gala dinner of induction will be held in April.

Here is an interesting review of a survey of continental thought. The review offers some criticism, but on the whole seems favorable. I was taken by this account of the book’s unifying theme:

McCumber sets continental philosophy up against what he calls “traditional philosophy,” by which he understands, following Heidegger, “philosophy that locates true reality in an atemporal domain” (4). “Traditional philosophy” — whether in the form of Parmenidean Being, Platonic Forms, Aristotelian essences, Kantian transcendental structures of the human mind, or the logically manipulated world of propositions — places what is ultimately real in some timeless and unchanging realm. Continental philosophy, however, understands itself to be firmly situated within time and history while trying to understand things and actions that are themselves equally so situated within the temporal realm.

This intrigues me, but I think contemporary non-continental philosophers – specifically, philosophical naturalists – would scratch their collective heads and say, “Huh? You mean we’re locating true reality in an atemporal domain?” Indeed, anyone “non-continentalists” after and including the logical positivists would fight against that characterization. Of course, maybe they’re still going atemporal, despite their protestations, but the fact that they don’t want to be characterized in that way makes me think McCumber’s claim can’t be marking the deep division that exists today between the two camps. I keep thinking it has to do more with methodology (and probably politics) than with a specific content claims.

We have been discussing the possibility of starting an online undergraduate philosophy journal. None of the details have been worked out, but the basic idea is for a small number of students, under the guidance of the faculty, to solicit undergraduate papers nationwide, run them through some kind of evaluation process, and load the selected papers onto an online journal, which will be run and maintained by our USU Library go-to person, Andy Wesolek.

The main benefit for doing this, apart from a bit of publicity, is that the process of evaluating other people’s attempts at philosophical work can be very instructive. One gains some critical and editorial skills that can then be turned back upon one’s own work. It also would be a bit of fun.

Any comments or thoughts about this? Anyone interested in helping out? Is anyone working on a paper, perhaps for an undergraduate conference, which could conceivably be submitted to the journal? Any ideas for a name for the journal?

Political Science and Philosophy are bringing to campus Professor Boris Kashnikov, from the Moscow Higher School of Economics, to present a lecture on “War, Ethics, and Terrorism.” His lecture will be in a scheduled PoliSci class, but there are empty seats available for interested people. If you do want to attend the lecture, please send Huenemann a note, or comment on this post, so we have an idea of how many additional people will be attending.

See Kashnikov’s bio below; a man of interesting experiences.

Lecture: “War, Ethics, and Terrorism.”
By Professor Boris Kashnikov
Moscow Higher School of Economics

Date: March 8
Time: 1.30-2.30
Place: Main 115

Boris Kashnikov is Professor of Philosophy at the Moscow Higher School of Economics. Previously, he has taught at Ryazan University and at the Moscow University of the Ministry of the Interior. He is in the United States this year at George Mason University’s Philosophy Department on a Fulbright grant. He has previously had Fulbrights at Ohio University and Emory University. Professor Kashnikov’s interests and publications are in the areas of Russian philosophy, the application of liberal political theory in a Russian context, military ethics, and ethical issues relating to terrorism.

In addition to his academic background, Professor Kashnikov has advised various international groups and organizations, including the International Crisis Group. He was also a colonel in Russia’s Ministry of the Interior Forces and served in Nagorno-Karabakh and in Kosovo.

The Logan Gramophone Society is offering a rare public exhibition today at noon in the Twain Tippetts gallery. All are welcome.

New York University M.A. in Bioethics: Life, Health, & Environment

There is still time to apply for fall 2012 admission!

*Fall 2012 priority deadline-May 1st. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter.
*Applicants may request a GRE waiver if they hold a Ph.D. or post-baccalaureate professional degree (e.g. M.D., J.D.), or if they have taken the LSAT or MCAT.

Learn more about the New York University Bioethics Program at our upcoming open house on March 28! To find out more information or to RSVP visit our events page.

Since its launch in 2007, the New York University Center for Bioethics has promoted a broad conception of bioethics encompassing both environmental and health ethics through conferences, workshops, public lectures, and graduate courses. Bioethics Masters students take courses from leading bioethicists as well from professors in the fields of dentistry, education, law, medicine, philosophy, public health, public service, and others.

The degree consists of 32 credits composed of required core courses, a set of electives and a practicum. The core courses provide fundamental knowledge in environmental and health ethics while the elective courses allow students to specialize in their areas of interest. The culmination of the program is the practicum which provides students the opportunity to apply their acquired knowledge by interning at an organization in the field of health care or the environment. The degree can be completed within a twelve-month period of two semesters and a summer session or on a part-time basis. Students may enter the program in either the fall or spring semester.

To apply or for more information about the Bioethics Program, visit http://bioethics.as.nyu.edu/object/bioethics.resourcesprospective

There are limited partial scholarships still available that will be awarded to students who possess the highest academic ability and potential. If you would like more information about the program, GRE waivers, or the application process, please contact Amanda Anjum at asa4@nyu.edu.

Please feel free to share this information with others who may be interested.