Author: Huenemann

Some years have passed since we made the “Philosophy: Think about it” t-shirts. We figure it might be time for a new batch of T-shirts, and we’d like some broader input on two matters. First, let’s consider whether we should have T-shirts at all. Some have expressed the worry that it cheapens the degree, or might induce people into the Philosophy major who really don’t belong there. More substantive comments on this issue are welcome, but let’s have a poll:

Next, supposing we were to go with T-shirts, what should they say? Ideas?

Something to think about for the summer! The theme for the conference is “Nietzsche and Bourdieu (who? See here!), but papers are welcome in all areas.
NietzscheBourdieauFlyer

Come support and join in discussion with several philosophy undergraduates who are presenting at the 9th annual Student Research Symposium, hosted by the Department of Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies. The philosophy talks are as follows:

Friday, April 20
Session 1, Main 006, 3:30-4:20
• Mathias Fuelling, “The Perceptions of Riverrun: Finnegan’s Wake as a Literary Metaphor for David Hume’s Bundle Theory of the Mind”
• Camron Lee, “Observing the Shifting of Cultural Values in Literature”

Session 9, Main 006, 4:30-5:30
• Beau Peterson, “David Hume and the Theory of Personal Identity”
• Justin Solum, “Hume on Imagination”
• Shashank Chauhan, “The Question of Justice”

Last roll of the school year.

There is an interesting comment thread on a post at Brian Leiter’s philosophy blog in response to the question, “What would be your biggest regret if this were the last day of your life?” The article Leiter links to is by a nurse who has asked this question of many patients over their last days, and kept track of their replies. The biggest regrets are not surprising: people feel that they tried too hard to meet others’ expectations; that they spent too much time working; that they did not take enough time to watch their children grow. The comments on Leiter’s post, mainly from philosophers and lawyers, are more reflective, thoughtful, and interesting than most other comment threads are, in my experience. If you are considering a career in law, note well the regrets expressed by several successful lawyers that they work so many hours that they have very little time for fun, family, or love.

It is a question worth spending some time thinking about. Many of the things we work so diligently toward – successful careers, becoming rich or famous, getting an A from Huenemann – really aren’t the sorts of things that will make us feel we have lived a successful life. And many of the things that will lead to that feeling are very close at hand. Memento mori, my friends.