Author: Huenemann

De-reading philosophy

from Jose Ortega y Gasset, What is Philosophy? –

“Philosophy cannot be read, it must be de-read – that is, one must re-think each phrase, and this assumes that you break it into the words which form its ingredients; you then take each one of them, and instead of resting content with surveying its agreeable surface, you must throw yourself headlong into it, submerge yourself in it, go down into the depths of its meaning, look well to its anatomy and its boundaries in order to emerge again into the free air as master of its secret heart. When one does this with all the words of a sentence, they stay united not side by side, but subterraneously, joined by the very roots of their ideas; only then do they truly compose a philosophic phrase. For horizontal reading, the kind that slips along, for simple mental skating down the page, one must substitute vertical reading, immersion in the small abyss which is each word, a fruitful dive without a diving bell.”

 

Summer Institute – “Philosophy in an Inclusive Key”

Here is an opportunity to study philosophy over the summer. I don’t know much about this program, beyond the information available here, and this flyer: piksi_poster_2017_v2. It’s part of an overall effort to attract more people into philosophy who aren’t white males – a diversity of voices would be welcome. Check it out!

UTFs wanted for Spring 2017

We’re looking for two philosophy majors to serve as undergraduate teaching fellows in Spring 2017. One is for Gary McGonagill’s USU 1320 class, and the other is for Charlie Huenemann’s PHIL 2200 (Deductive Logic) class. To serve as a UTF, you must have taken the class, and done well in it, and be interested in helping other students to do well. (If you haven’t taken USU 1320, but still think you might be able to serve as UTF because of similar courses you’ve taken, please see me (Charlie).) In exchange, you receive the benefit of exercising your excellence in teaching, plus $750.

Send me a note if you are interested! charlie.huenemann@usu.edu

Justin Solum’s talk: next week!

Justin Solum, a recent philosophy grad, will be visiting USU and presenting a lecture on “action theory” – this is where psychology hooks up with human actions we regard as morally praiseworthy or blameworthy. His talk is entitled “Deviant Causal Chains in Action Theory,” and he’s always a fun guy to talk philosophy with. It is scheduled for next Tuesday, December 6th, 3:00 p.m., in Main 227. All are welcome!